Page 1 of Stalker's Valentine

prologue

. . .

Scarlett Trejo

The newly renovatedwarehouse that had been remodeled into a brewery and grill in our small mountain town of Moonlit Pines palpitated with energy. Gold sparkled all around me—from women wearing it in their sequined clothes and guys wearing shiny golden top hats on their heads to the twinkle lights strewn all over.

Everyone around me looked so happy, ready to say goodbye to the year and waiting to ring in the new one. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t seem to match their energy. I felt off.

While I made my way back to my sisters and their dates, I couldn’t help but feel like someone was watching me. I glanced over my shoulder, and my skin broke out into goose bumps despite not making eye contact with anyone.

This is what you get for watching scary movies, I chastised myself.

“Ladies and gents! Make sure to grab your champagne flutes and stand next to the one you want to kiss. It’s almost that time!” the DJ called out, and everyone wooed and cheered while thewait staff walked around carrying trays filled with delicate flutes without dropping them.

When I reached my oldest sister, Coral, she grinned. “Having fun?”

“A blast,” I sardonically answered. We both knew this was not my scene. I was more of a homebody than a party girl.

“Oh, come on! Look at this place! This is so much better than staying at home in that small rental of yours!” I blinked and forced myself to smile. She had no idea just how much I enjoyed my alone time. I was a homebody through and through.

“Can you believe Onyx and his dumb frat brothers pulled this off?” she asked, and we both scoped out the place. Her comment earned a genuine smile. My older brother and his friends had gone into business together, creating a pretty cool space in our small mountain community.

“It's pretty great,” I admitted. “Where is Olive?” I asked.

“With Tripp.” Coral rolled her eyes, and I pressed my lips together. “They’re coming back.” I turned just in time to see my younger sister and her new guy friend head towards us. She looked happy, but I had a feeling by the way the guy’s eyes wandered that he wasn’t going to last. They never did.

“Where’s Jack?” I asked, but before she could say anything, the deep familiar voice of my sister’s longtime boyfriend sounded behind me.

“I’m right here.” I grinned at the sight of the guy who was like a brother to me, “This is for you.” He handed me a flute then went to Coral and handed her one as well before kissing her. “Let’s go to the front!” he suggested, and they headed towards the crowd. Tripp and Olive followed them; both my sisters waved at me to join them.

I hated third wheeling, but I seriously despised fifth wheeling!

My youngest sister, Raven, was supposed to come with me, but she got sick and insisted I go anyhow.I should have stayed home.I started to make my way towards them, but everyone else started to walk, too, and I lost sight of them.

“Great,” I muttered.

“Let’s do this! Let’s say goodbye to the old year and hello to the new one!” the DJ called, and everyone around me cheered. The energy was alive and pulsing around me. I crossed my arms, careful not to spill my champagne.

“Ten! Nine! Eight!” People were jam-packed in the brewery. It made me happy for my brother and his business partners.

I glanced around and tried to shake the feeling of someone’s eyes on me again. But in a sea of people, I couldn’t make anyone out specifically. I shook my head, about to laugh at myself.Who would be watching me?Here of all places! Please! I was being paranoid. Everyone was too busy enjoying the night and the anticipation of the moment. As if at the stroke of midnight somehow, someway, everything and anything would be possible. I wish it were that easy!

“Seven! Six! Five!” everyone counted down. I swallowed, suddenly feeling something else. Something even more foreign than being watched.

I feel lonely.

My eyes skirted about and caught couples standing next to one another. Glancing down at each other with bright smiles, ready to kiss. To keep spending time together.

“Four! Three! Two! One!” everyone shouted with glee and palpable excitement.

“Happy New Year!” I joined in, shouting and celebrating with a smile pasted on my face.

I looked around and tried to carry my head high as everyone around me kissed and hugged. A guy stopped in front of me and wagged his brows up and down, but I shook my head and walkedpast him. No thank you! Just because everyone was kissing someone, that didn’t mean I had to.

Especially not a complete stranger!

I swallowed the knot in my throat.Maybe kissing a stranger wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world?I wondered before finding my sisters and their guys. I hugged my sisters and then pointed towards the bar without needing to shout over the loud music that had started to play. Coral and Olive smiled and pointed to the dance floor, letting me know they were about to go bump and grind. Which was fine by me. I needed a drink.

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