Page 10 of Stalker's Valentine

“And?” I challenged, not at all offended by her comment. I liked my hobbies.

“And how are you going to meet someone when you’re home all the time?” It wasn’t the first time she asked, and I didn’t take any offense.

“I don’t need to meet anyone,” I shared, my voice softer than I would have liked.

“Babe.” Finally, Cora’s voice softened. “Babe, not all guys are like the dumbasses you’ve dated.”

“I’m just not… the dating kind of girl, Cora, you know that. I’m awkward and quiet and…” My voice drifted off to noting, but that didn’t stop my older sister from trying to cheer me up.

“You’re exactly who you are supposed to be.” She believed in me in the way only an older sibling could believe in their younger ones. “You know who was at the brewery yesterday?” she asked, obviously trying to change the subject. I chewed on my lower lip.

There was a reason I had skipped out on meeting up at the brewery again.

After seeing my tall, handsome, and bearded man a week ago, I kept seeing him. For the last five days, he had been there for each and every meal we ate there. Always sitting on the same barstool.

Never moving from it.

Or talking to anyone.

Not that my sisters or I approached him. Nope. But they did point him out to me each time for some reason, as if they had cottoned on to my crush. Always childishly elbow-bumping me and wagging their perfectly plucked brows in my direction while subtly pointing in his direction.

I could have sworn he watched me.

Or maybe that was wishful thinking on my part? Letting my poor deluded self believe he found me at least interesting. Not that I thought it was possible. There was no way a man like him would be interested in me. He probably datedelegant, sophisticated women who were perfectly primped and pampered.

I couldn’t remember the last time I got a pedicure. Or a manicure for that matter.

“Scar? Did I lose you? You still there?” Coral asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Shit, sorry, what were you saying?” I tried to focus on my sister.

“Guess who was there yesterday?”

“Coral,” I groaned, “I don’t know why you would think––“

“Austin’s hot older brother,” she cut in, and my brows bunched. I hated how jealous I felt. “The one who is always checking you out.” That made my brows relax.

“What?”

“He can’t stop looking at you. That’s why you should have gone to lunch yesterday and why you should come to dinner tonight.”

“No thank you. I have dinner in the slow cooker. Plus, I genuinely couldn’t yesterday. I told you guys that. I had a video conference for work. That’s why I couldn’t meet you at lunch.” It was the truth, too.

And it sucked, after seeing my hot guy for five days and then missing out on a day.

“Okay, that’s a fair reason, but tomorrow is Friday. You should meet us for drinks! There is a karaoke night at the brewery and––“

“How hasn’t Onyx kicked you guys out yet?” I cut her off for a change, still slightly irritated she thought my guy was hot.He’s not yours,a little voice perked up to remind me, and I didn’t like it.

“Because we’re his sisters.” I could almost imagine her nose up in the air like she had some kind of point. We were family, buteven I knew we were a lot, especially when it was the four of us together.

“Pftt,” I snorted because we both knew there was no way that was the reason. He loved us.

“And paying customers. Plus, we don’t bug him. Not really.” My lips twitched because we both knew she was full of shit. “So? You sure you don’t want to come out to dinner with us? If you don’t want to drive, I’ll pick you up,” she offered, even though we were the ones who lived the furthest away from one another.

“I’m good.” My tone softened because as bossy as Coral could get sometimes, she was sincere in not only her offer but wanting me there. “I’m a little burnt out on eating out, and I kinda missed being home,” I admitted.

“Even if it means you don’t get to see you know who?” she teased again, and this time, I just smiled.

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