Page 26 of Unexpected Danger
He regarded her for a moment. “Are you doing anything tonight?”
“I have plans to catch up on some household chores.”
“All right, well, I was just going to see if you wanted to go to a movie.”
“Thank you, but I do need to get some things done.” She didn't want to get his hopes up that she had changed her mind about dating him, even if it was something as innocent as going to a movie.
Londyn’s back was against her SUV, and she was about to turn around and climb inside when Dustin leaned toward her. In an attempt to put space between them, she reared her head back, nearly smacking it on the window. Dustin inched even closer, bridging the meager distance now between them and entering into her personal space. She flinched, but he continued toward her, leaving her no option but to be face-to-face with him. Before she could say anything or do what she could to avoid him, Dustin brushed his lips against hers. Her arms involuntarily rose, and she pressed hard and firmly on his shoulders and turned her head away from any further contact. “Dustin.”
“Sorry, I couldn't resist. You’re just so pretty.” He smiled at her with what appeared to be a genuine smile.
Anger stirred within her, and Londyn dropped her hands to her sides and clenched her fists. She didn't appreciate him violating her in that way. “I need to go.”
He reached for her hand, and she pulled it away. “Whoa. Look, Londyn, I’m sorry. I just—I really like you.”
“And I like you too, Dustin, but not in that way.”
His shoulders slumped, and he fisted a hand to his chest. “That hurts me here, you know?”
“I’m sorry.” What else could she say?
“If we spent more time together, your feelings for me would change. We’re meant to be together.”
His words caused an involuntary shiver.
“Now more than ever, I’m seeing how much you mean to me. How much I care about you. How much I want to protect you from this crazy guy who shows up at your apartment and textsyou. I’m ready to take our friendship to the next level. Won’t you reconsider?”
“Sorry, but no. I’m not ready for a relationship at this time.”
His eyes narrowed, and his lip curled before his expression immediately changed. Dustin smiled with a nod. “All right, but you can’t blame a guy for trying, right? And please don't hold the kisses against me. I promise I won't try anything like that again without your permission.”
“All right,” she said, her voice wavering slightly. Dustin had been a good friend, and maybe this was just an innocent error on his part.
After parting ways with Dustin, Londyn climbed quickly into her car and, out of habit, clicked the lock button. Dustin slowly walked away from her SUV before shoving his hands into his pockets and meandering toward his own truck.
Her heart pounded, and she exhaled a few short breaths, collecting her thoughts before starting her car and exiting the parking garage. A red flag emerged, one that reminded her that Dustin may not take no for an answer in the future. The thought discouraged her. She could always use more friends.
The twenty-minute drive home gave her time to think about things. That was the only good thing about not living close to your place of employment. In Pronghorn Falls, it took her exactly six minutes to get from her apartment to the clinic where she worked. Gray skies overhead promised more rain, and she stopped at the stoplight and waited behind the expansive line of cars.
Last night, instead of sleeping, she'd weighed the pros and cons of returning to Pronghorn Falls. Pros would be that she wouldn't have to deal with whoever this stalker was. She could return to the town she loved and to her friends. She might even be able to get her old job back. And she could see Brodie againand apologize for what she had done. That was one mess that needed to be corrected.
On the other hand, if she stayed in Rowland, she would continue to work at a job that paid well, she liked her apartment, and she did have friends here, although with the way things were going with Dustin, she wasn't sure how long she could maintain the friendship with him when he wanted something more. She spent a lot of time in prayer seeking God's wisdom, the verse in James never far from her mind:“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Oh, how she lacked wisdom and needed the generous wisdom the Lord provided to those who asked.
Londyn wasn't sure what decision she should make regarding returning to Pronghorn Falls, even though she had surrendered that choice to God. She had learned the importance once again of prayer before action. Especially since she’d failed to pray before leaving Pronghorn Falls.
She debated sending a text to Aileen and seeking her advice. Of course, Aileen would tell her she was welcome back anytime. While Londyn hadn’t texted Brodie often, just a few generic texts that he sometimes returned while they exchanged pleasantries, her communication with Aileen had been more frequent and meaningful, although Londyn hadn’t shared with the woman about her stalker. Shehadshared about her job, her new apartment, and an apology for leaving like she had. Apologizing to Aileen in person would be much more beneficial than over text.
A car behind her honked, and Londyn realized she'd been sitting at the stoplight for longer than necessary. She pressed on the gas and proceeded. The sign of a pizza place on the corner captured her attention, and her stomach growled. At the last minute, she swerved into the parking lot. Checking hersurroundings before exiting her car, she locked the door and hurried inside. There were two other people in front of her—a woman right in front of her, and a man she didn’t recognize from the back of his head in front of the woman.
Her phone pinged, signaling a text, and Londyn averted her attention from the people in line to the text that had come through from Jasmine.
Hey, girl! Wanna do something this evening?
She enjoyed spending time with Jasmine, but she was already planning to have a quiet evening at home. Especially since she had a lot to think about if she was going to go through with her plans to leave Rowland. Yet, she didn’t want to discourage her friend. Londyn bit her lip. She would have to tell Jasmine about her plans. In person.
Could I get back to you on that? I’m in line at the pizza place.
