Page 28 of Found By Him

I’m a job, too.

My rational mind knows that.

But my heart.

It hurts like hell at Tyler’s innocent comment.

I wrap my lips around my teeth and stare out the window, trying to navigate through the torrent of emotions coursing through me. The dread about work is compounding the sadness I feel at the thought that I’m just a job to Jack, but I’m crushed by the feelings engulfing me. Before I can get control of myself, a traitorous tear slips down my cheek. I quickly wipe my face, hoping Tyler doesn’t notice.

To distract from the moment, with my eyes not leaving the city slipping past my window, I ask quietly, “Can we make a stop before you take me home?”

“Uh, sure.” From Tyler’s cautious tone, I can tell he did notice my tear. “What is it?”

I try to sniff as quietly as possible. “I want to stop and pick up some flowers. There’s a florist a few blocks from my condo.”

“We can do that. Just tell me where to go.”

I give him directions to my favorite florist as I continue to stare out the window. The city hypnotizes me until he pulls into a parking spot in the small lot adjacent to the building.

He follows me down the sidewalk until my feet halt, coming to a stop next to me as we read the sign on the door.

Closed for a Family Emergency

My chest hitches. I always get flowers on Mondays. They make me happy. I need to be happy today.

Tyler’s voice is quiet as he asks, “Do you want to go somewhere else?”

I can’t answer without giving away how upset I am. I know this isn’t about the flowers, but I don’t want to get into everything with him right now. The overwhelming trepidation I feel about the current state of my life is suffocating. I shake my head and start walking back to his vehicle, and he’s silent as he climbs in and takes me home.

16

Jack

Istep outside the venue to answer my phone. “Tyler, is Gisella okay?”

“Uh, kind of.” My muscles tense at his words. But he rushes on, “She’s safe. Sorry, should’ve led with that. But she seemed, I don’t know, upset since she got in the car when I picked her up after work.”

I’m only partially relieved at his explanation. The last thing I want is for her to be distressed about anything, so I’m grateful she’s safe. But it’s been excruciating to be away from her these last two days. I kick myself that I didn’t insist on staying the night Saturday. I would’ve had to leave Sunday for work, but at least I would’ve had a few more hours with her.

And now she’s upset? I can’t take it anymore.

“Tell me what happened,” I demand.

“Well, besides her crying a little right after we left herwork, which she tried to hide from me, but I saw it. She asked if we could get flowers from this florist before I took her home. But the shop was closed for an emergency or something, and she was visibly upset. I was worried about her and didn’t want to leave her alone when we got back to her place, but she insisted she was fine.”

I was going to wait to see her until I could take her to work tomorrow morning, but I can’t. I need to know tonight if her stalker contacted her again.

“Thanks for letting me know, Tyler. Check the updated schedule for the rest of the week. Nate and I made some adjustments today.”

“Will do, thanks, Jack.”

I disconnect and check the time. A little before six. I look up a few things before heading to my vehicle. Before I go see her, I have a few stops to make.

Forty minutes later, I’m parking outside of her building. I text her to buzz me in, and then I grab the couple of purchases I made on the way over.

When I make it upstairs, and she pulls the door open, my body tenses for a whole new reason. She’s dressed in loose pajama pants and a tight tank top that highlights her curves, her hair piled on top of her head. She looks gorgeous. I swallow heavily when her gasp meets my ears.

“Jack, what’s all this?” she asks, eyes wide with awe as she steps back to allow me to pass by.

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