Page 19 of Mine to Keep

His eyes widened. “Wait, did you write it?”

“I don’t even know what it says.”

“Sure. Oh, my God! Are you the person who sent me the gifts?”

I pushed off his car door and took a step closer. “Are you calling me a creepy stalker?”

“Why are you here when I’m here, Nick?”

“I told you, business.”

He reached in his pocket, pulling the note out. “And I’m supposed to believe this isn’t you after tonight?”

Before he could pull it away, I grabbed it.

“Hey.”

I turned away and opened the note.You were beautiful tonight.

“That’s mine.” He took it back and I faced him.

“I didn’t write that, Mattie.” I glanced up toward the building where the cameras were. “But I can find out who did.”

“Huh?” He followed my line of sight. “Cameras.”

“Yep.” I beamed at him the moment he looked at me. “It’s my specialty.”

CHAPTER NINE

Matt

Nick followedme home that night, even though I told him I was fine, I would lock up, and my Ring camera was installed. He wouldn’t be dissuaded.

What was worse was the fact that after I got home, he wouldn’t leave. He came upstairs with me, the whole time looking here and there like some crazy clown was going to pop out.

“Here’s my door. Thanks for coming.” I slid the key in and…yep, he was joining me. “Nick, it’s all good, no one tried to break in.”

“Hey, Matt.”

I peeked over Nick’s shoulder and saw Nicole. She smiled at me and then eyed Nick strangely. I mean, he was gorgeous, but her expression wasn’t lustful.

“Hi, Nicole, what are you doing up so late?” It was now one in the morning.

“Oh, I got up to get some water, heard voices.” She shrugged. “Safety is important.”

I gestured to her and glared at Nick. “See, safety. I’m okay; you can go.”

Nick grinned and winked at Nicole. “Have a nice morning.” And shut the door in her face.

“Nick! That’s my landlord.”

“She was freaking me out.” He moved farther into my apartment and poked around, opening cabinets, drawers.

“Yeah, sometimes people hide in those and jump out when you least expect them to.” I crossed my arms and leaned against the archway between my living room and kitchen.

“Funny,” Nick deadpanned. “You don’t have cameras on your fire escape.”

“Why would I?”

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