Page 5 of Watch Me Burn

If they’re her leftovers, she’s not eating there. If she’s paying for me, I have to think about her spending money on me that she doesn’t need to. Either way, I don’t want to confront her about it just yet.

Soon, I tell myself. Elise is like Mary freaking Poppins. Practically perfect in every way, except possibly hiding an ED. If I care about her, I’ll have to help her, but when she’s also the perfect picture of health, how do I accuse her of starving herself?

Lately, I’ve been dishing the leftovers out onto two plates and insisting shes split it with me. And while she does more playing with it than eating it, at least I know she’s getting some of it down.

With that in mind, I tap out a response.

You know how much I love shrimp. If that’s on the menu tonight, thanks so much We can share it later.

I already have it bagged up for you and Dorian is dropping me off now. Maybe we can finish our show if you don’t have any other plans?

What?

No.

Crap.

Not the show part. When I discovered that Elise has a fondness for binging television shows before going to bed, we’ve taken turns picking one and watching it together. Lately, on her suggestion, we’ve been going through Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She claims to love it, though she spends more time snorting and shaking her head during certain parts than anything else.

But if she’s already on the way home…

I was hoping she was just sitting down to dinner, picking out something she’ll order for me to bring home. If it was an early dinner, maybe she was paying the check and getting the leftovers together. But if her date is already bringing her back to the apartment now, no way will I beat her there.

Which means she’ll know I broke the stupid rules. And while I don’t see why it’s such a big deal, Elise cares—and I care about Elise.

My thumb hovers over my keyboard. I sigh, then I tap out a quick message.

Sounds great. I’m actually on my way back to the apartment too. When I get home, we can start where we left out.

I wince when I see the three grey dots pop up that mean she’s replying. Knowing Elise, I can predict her answer—and I’m right.

Where are you? I can meet you there instead and we’ll walk home together.

I’m guessing her date with Dorian being over so quickly means he’s not ‘the one’. But that also doesn’t mean she needs to ask him to drop her off by the nail salon so that she can babysit me on the way back. I appreciate the thought, but…

Don’t worry about that. I’ve got five blocks left and I’ll be fine.

Enjoy the rest of your date.

Get the remote ready. We’re starting season four tonight.

Then, before Elise can try to convince me, I shove my phone into the back pocket of my jeans and start walking again.

I haven’t taken more than a couple of steps before my gut suddenly goes tight, and it’s not from the slight anxiety that comes with upsetting another person; as much as I love Aunt Maureen to death, she was the queen of the guilt trip so I’m used to it.

It’s something else, though. Something I don’t like.

My palms tingle. My heart rate kicks up. My mouth is dry.

What thehell?

Something’s definitely not right. I can’t explain it, only that I have the urge to bolt, and that doesn’t make any sense. A shiver creeps down my spine, my whole body involuntarily shuddering. It’s like I’ve got the weight of someone’s eyes on me, and when I look behind me, I realize that Ido.

He’s at the end of the block and moving at a quick clip, right at me. He has his head ducked enough to hide his features, though the same black scarf he was wearing before would’ve concealed them anyway. So, yeah, I know him. The shape… the coat… the fair hair…

That’s the guy that’s been standing by the bus stop.

Is hefollowingme?

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