Page 11 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

“You okay?” she asked, peeking behind me.

“Yeah, I think so. I just... you know that feeling like you’re being watched? That’s kind of how I feel right now.” I smiled, forcing my limbs to relax. “I’m sure it’s just my imagination.”

“If you want to stay here for a while so you’re not alone I don’t mind.”

Ruby was a sweetheart.

“I’ll be just fine. Thank you.” With a finger wave at Ruby, I took off toward my destination, trying to ignore that feeling. A feeling I hadn’t been able to shake for the last four months.

Chapter Three

Alden

The young man in frontof me swallowed nervously as I continued my unblinking gaze. I waited to see if he’d tug at the perfect knot of his tie. Instead he gave me a half smile before turning back to Lexi and then started tapping away at his computer keyboard.

My sister elbowed me. “Stop being intimidating,” she whispered.

“I’m not,” I deadpanned.

“As I was saying, Ms. Alden...” Our loan officer droned on.

I tuned him out. Lexi knew what she was doing. She wouldn't apply for a loan that didn’t suit her needs or had an exorbitant interest rate. Besides, we had already discussed the terms the night before. This was only a formality. I puffed up with pride. My sister was business savvy at only twenty-four.

She’d grown up way too fast when our parents died, leaving me to care for the fifteen-year-old girl she’d been. I’d like to think I helped soften the blow a bit, but my personality had an edge. One that subsided just a tiny bit for my little sister.

Right now, Jess was on my mind. I had this itch under my skin. An unidentifiable sense that something was wrong no matter how much I ignored it.

My phone buzzed in my front shirt pocket, indicating a new text message. I stared at the man in front of me, pretending to take an interest in what he was saying, but the buzzing continued every few seconds. I shifted in my seat.

If there was an emergency, Gage knew to call if I didn’t answer his text messages.

Lexi nodded enthusiastically. No doubt fully understanding everything the guy in front of us was saying. We were in the middle of discussing the terms of the loan again for Lexi’s second store when my phone rang.

Shit!I threw an apologetic look at my sister and excused myself to the hallway outside the office.

“What happened, Gage?”

---