Page 75 of No Longer Safe

He scoffed. “I’m a lot of things but I’m not a stalker. No, Axel is my best friend.”

“You have friends?” I pointed my cone at him. “You stalked me in the park that one time.”

“Har har,” he rolled his eyes. “On a very serious note,” he bumped his shoulder into mine and I wondered if I’d been forced into an alternate universe. It was so weird walking the busy streets of the city with him on such casual terms. Women stopped to gawk at him and I found myself wondering why hewas even with me. I almost reminded myself of the stripper glitter and cheap perfume. “I wasn’t stalking you that day. I saw you in the park and wanted to make sure you were okay. Axel has been my friend since boarding school. We found interesting trouble together. We might have gone to jail a few times together too and we’ve been stuck together ever since.”

“He told you about my date?” He continued to watch me eat the ice cream and I wondered if it was a bad idea for a first date.

“Not exactly,” He didn’t seem to want to give up the information. He probably heard about the date from Ace. I bumped him back in the shoulder and when I looked up into his eyes, I was confused. Instead of the hard man I’d met the first time, I saw a different side of Alexei. His dark eyes were soft and instead of the insufferable smirk, he was smiling softly.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Audrey

“What doyou think about this line?” Lu was showing me a manuscript from one of her authors. I got my red pen out and marked a few things then handed it back. The book was so good and I couldn’t wait to hold a real copy of it in my hands someday. It had been three days since my date with Alexei and I’d been meeting Lu at the park each day to help her with her work. I refused to think about the kiss because every time I did, it sent me into a frenzy. It made me feverish. I definitely didn’t bring it up Lu. I couldn’t. I would never live it down.

“Ugh, you’re such a lifesaver! I’ve been stuck on that paragraph for hours. I don’t know what I would do without you.” She leaned forward and wrapped her willowy arms around me. It made me feel warm inside. I loved Carina and spending time with her was the best but having another friend made me feel giddy in a new way. It made me feel likable. “Are you wanting to teach at one of the schools here?”

Her question caught me off guard because I was more than qualified to work in the schools here, but I hadn’t thought of actually doing it. I knew I didn’t want to, but eventually, I would need a job and living in the park would get old. Working at aschool was probably all I had going for me. At least for now. I needed more experience. “No, probably not.”

She nodded. “Well, I’m sure you could apply at a publishing house nearby! I would love to give you a glowing recommendation.”

I laughed at how absurd that sounded. I wasn’t qualified to work on books. “No, I’m not qualified.”

“You’re an English major and you have an eye for this stuff.” She whacked me with her rolled-up manuscript. “I’ve been asking you for help for weeks now, it seems. I’m sure someone would love to at least take you on as an intern.”

I eyed her to make sure she wasn’t joking. “I’ll think about it.”

She shoved the papers at me. “Take this home with you, mark it up, and give it back to me when you’re done.”

I couldn’t believe I said yes.

A text pingedthrough as I was walking back to Ace’s with the stack of papers clutched tightly to my chest. I fumbled with my phone for a minute before I took my phone out.

Alexei

Are you thinking about me?

Dream on.

Alexei

I’m thinking about you.

Really?

I would have been lying to say that his words didn’t immediately ignite butterflies in the pit of my stomach.

Alexei

Absolutely. I can’t stop thinking about you. What are you doing tonight?

I looked between my phone and the manuscript. I needed to play it cool, play it smart. I couldn’t give up my future for a man, but I also really wanted to see said man.

I’m working on a project but you’re more than welcome to come over and help.

Alexei

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