Page 15 of Second Chance for Mr. Alden

“Later, Lex.” I sighed. I couldn’t deal with Lexi trying to smooth things over right now. I’d talk to her later.

Jess handed the middle-aged woman behind the table a business card. “Please ask for Maria and tell her Jessamine Sulton sent you.” She picked up a business card from the table. “I’ll let her know you’ll be calling.”

“Are you ready to go now?” I asked. The back of my neck was tingling. There was something that didn’t feel right. I couldn't tell if it was that we were so exposed or if someone there meant Jess harm. Either way, it was time to go. Even though I wasn’t supposed to be on duty today, I was grateful for the gun I had thought to strap to my ankle.

Jess huffed. “Sure, let’s go.”

She moved forward only to stop at a few more tables and picked up two boxes of baked goods before we headed toward the exit. I kept my eyes moving, scanning the crowd, looking for a threat the whole time. Working out a viable escape route if needed.

I messaged Gage on our way here. He was currently on the other side of the street, staying out of sight. I kept my body near Jess’s, ready to shield her if needed. Constantly, my eyes looked for ways out. Gage knew if things went sideways, he was to grab Lexi while I got Jess out and to safety.

As we neared the exit, I breathed a sigh of relief. We were minutes from the truck and almost home free when a young girl holding a single white flower sidled up to Jess. With an engaging smile, she offered it to her.

Jess crouched down to take the flower. She buried her nose in the fragrant flower before giving the girl her attention. After thanking her, Jess stood, and gave me a small smile. Her fingers toyed with the stem of the flower as she held it to her chest.

“Sorry about taking off.” Jess slowed her gait, making me do the same.

“We still need to talk about protocol.” That feeling, the itch under my skin, had gotten worse.

She nodded but didn’t seem in a hurry to leave.

“Jess, we need to leave.” I scanned the nearby buildings and vendors. I met Gage’s gaze across the street, and he shook his head indicating there were no visible threats.

Oblivious to my thoughts, she stopped and smiled at me again. A soft curl of her lips, one that felt intimate, and reminded me of days past.

“The flower is beautiful,” Jess whispered.

Lexi had moved a few steps ahead, giving us a little privacy.

“Uh, yeah.” I wasn’t sure why she was pointing out the flower or why she’d stopped. With Gage at our back I kept my eyes in front of us. Eliminating the possibility of a threat getting close to Jess.

“It was really sweet of you to remember, Alden.”

I stopped searching the street and faced her. “Remember what?”

“My favorite flower.” She waved the flower in front of my face.

The sweet scent of jasmine wafted to my nose, reminding me of the day we met. A day I needed to forget about in order to protect her. I gestured to the flower. “What does that have to do with me?”

Her face fell. “You didn’t send it to me... or the bouquet?”

“Send it to you?” I repeated like a fucking parrot.

Jess bit her lip. “In my room. If not you, then...”

“If not me then, fucking hell.”

Lexi’s eyes widened and Jess grew pale.

That’s what that tingle was about. That was the itch under my skin. I never should have ignored it. It had to have been her stalker. Who else would’ve sent a bouquet and then a single-stem reminder via a child? It seemed that without any activity, he or she had chosen today to start up again.

I spun in a circle, searching the crowd for the child with light brown hair and green dress, already knowing it was useless. I called Gage, telling him to do the same as I rushed Jess and Lexi to the truck.

I needed to get them out of here.

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