Page 81 of The Perfect Love

Okay, this can work. He can talk to me the whole time, and he’ll know where I am in case of emergency. Hopefully it’s nothing.

“Good. Could you stay on the phone with me for a bit?” I’m walking toward the other door now, my heart still pounding.

“Why? What’s wrong?” His voice fills with concern.

“I’m just leaving my night class, and these girls said there’s a guy outside who was following them—”

“Where are you?” His voice is rough and a little murdery.

“Carlan Hall.”

“Stay there. Stay inside the building. I’ll be there soon.”

“You don’t have to—”

“Chelsea.” His voice is firm and insistent. “Are there other people inside the building?”

“Yeah, in the lounge.”

“Good. Stay near other people. I’m going to hang up now, but call me if he comes inside, okay?”

A rush of air leaves my lungs. “Okay. Thank you.”

“Don’t ever thank me for stuff like this, Chels. Stay safe. I’ll see you in a couple of minutes.”

“Bye.”

He hangs up, and I walk back to the lounge, still in shock. Yep. I’m definitely falling in trust with him. But I might be falling in something else with him too.

It’s barely been five minutes when Trevor comes through the doors of the building. His eyes land on me before he’s even through the second set of glass doors, and I get up to meet him. The tight hug he wraps me in seems as much for him as for me. I melt against him, basking in the peace I feel. Because when I’m in his arms, I’m just… safe.

“Okay?” he murmurs into my hair.

“I will be. I just want to go home.”

“I’ve got you. Let’s go.”

“Out this door?” I choke out.

He leans back and looks into my eyes. “I can handle him. If he’s bothering us, he won’t be bothering someone else. Trust me?”

I do.The absolute certainty of those words shouldn’t surprise me. He’s shown me over and over again, and when I crave safety, I want him.

“Yes.”

He takes my bag and slings it over his shoulder, then wraps his other arm around me, pulling me tight to his side. Kissing the side of my head, he whispers, “I’ve got you.”

I wrap my arm around his back, fingers curling into his sweatshirt, and try to remind myself I’m safe, even if all I can think is that I want to be anywhere but here. Especially when the front door opens and the cool air hits my face.

When we step outside, the guy is a bit farther up the path, looking toward the entrance at the top of the stairs. We’ll have to go right past him.

Breathe, I remind myself. I can’t be catatonic right now. I have to face this.

I’m safe. I’m not alone.

Trevor holds me tighter as we get closer, and the guy’s eyes fix on us. They’re hazy like he’s drugged up.

He tilts his head and then gets this almost predatory smile on his face. “Mm, you’re real pretty.”

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