Page 75 of Stone Promises

I laugh into the phone. “I did. And it appears Santa came very early this year. You know it’s too much, Chad.”

“It’s not too much, Mal. I need you safe. I didn’t want you driving around in that little box of yours.”

I contemplate arguing with him, but I know he’s right. My small car offers little protection from anyone who might want to see inside. “I know,” I say. “Thank you.”

“Do you like it?”

I get up and peek out the window again. The photographer is still hanging around. “I’m sure it’s wonderful, but I haven’t had a chance to really see it yet.”

“Why not?”

“Because there is a photographer standing in the road in front of my house,” I tell him.

“Fuck,” he huffs into the phone. “Did he say anything to you?”

“When I came home, there were two of them and they both asked me personal questions. I didn’t talk to them, but they might have gotten a picture of me.”Or a hundred.

“Call the police when we hang up. Tell them you were harassed. They’ll make him leave.”

“He isn’t trespassing,” I say. “He’s on the other side of the front gate.”

“But he made you uncomfortable with his questions. That’s harassment, Mal.”

“I don’t want to get anyone in trouble, Chad. He’s just doing his job.”

He sighs into the phone. “My girlfriend. Always thinking of others,” he says. “Just please make sure to keep your doors locked. You still have an alarm system, right?”

“Of course.”

“Good. Use it. Have your dad move your old car out to the end of the driveway and put your new one in the garage so you don’t have to go outside.”

“My old car is still here? I thought you would’ve traded it in.” Then I think about what I said and feel stupid for saying it. I doubt he would have gotten more than a few thousand for it. Not even enough to cover the sales tax on the Lexus.

“It’s in your name, Mallory, I couldn’t have done that. You can sell it yourself. Or maybe donate it.”

His suggestion brings another smile to my face. “Oh, yes. I’ll donate it to Hope. What a great idea. Thank you.” I walk back over and eye the smaller box again. “What’s the sticker with the numbers on it?”

“I leased you a parking space in a Midtown garage. It’s only a few blocks from Melissa’s place since you seem to stay there a lot. And it’s close to many of the shops and clubs you like to go to. I don’t want you taking the train or subway anymore. It exposes you too much. Use the Lexus or take cabs from now on.”

I’m still stuck onIleased you a parking space. “What? You might as well have leased me a whole apartment for what that parking space must have cost.”

“I will if you want me to. Just say the word.”

“Lord, no. You’ve done quite enough already. I hate that you’re spending so much money on me.” I look around my familiar living room. “Plus, I’m not sure I could leave my dad.”

“Stop it, Mallory. The only reason I have to spend that kind of money is because of who I am. It goes with the territory.”

I sit on the sofa, getting a whiff of Chad’s cologne every time I move around. “I love the car, but I think my favorite thing in the box was the hoodie. I’m wearing it now.”

“You are?” I can hear the smile in his voice.

“Want me to send you a picture?”

“Hell, yes,” he says. “Wait, is your dad home?”

“No. I don’t know where he is actually, which is strange now that I think about it.”

“Take your phone into your bedroom and lock the door,” he says.

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