Page 31 of Tinsel Time Treasure
She gave me a soft smile. “Hi. I’m Grace. I’m a friend of Max’s.”
I vaguely remembered Max telling me about people coming over, but the panic and exhaustion made the memory fuzzy. “Justin.”
“Nice to meet you.” She paused. “Is it ok if I come closer?”
I blinked. The question seemed odd, then I remembered Max saying that one of his friends was a stalking victim.
She was being careful of my feelings, and I was overwhelmed by her consideration.
I sniffled and nodded. “I’m ok. You can come closer.”
“Ok.”
She walked over and took a seat at the other end of the couch.
“How are you doing?” she asked.
I rubbed my beard. “Honestly? Not so great. I just…” I sighed. “I wish the police could do something; make him stop.”
She nodded. “I understand.”
I pulled my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. I rested my chin on the V they made where they met. “What do I do now? My home isn’t safe.”
“That’s why we’re here. We’ll help you come up with a plan to keep you safe.”
“Thank you.”
She smiled. “You ready for Max and Annie to come in?”
I nodded. “Ok.”
She stood, and I noticed how careful she was about her small baby bump.
“How far along are you?” I asked.
She smiled at me. “Twenty weeks. Halfway there.”
“Congrats.”
“Thank you.” She rubbed her bump, then remembered that she’d been headed to get the others and walked out of the room.
Grace returned with Max and another woman, whom I assumed was her mate when they sat together.
“Did you get enough sleep?” Max asked, standing next to the couch for a moment before taking a seat next to me.
I let out a sarcastic chuckle. “No, but I don’t know how much sleep I can really get.”
“We’ll make sure you’re in a safe bed,” the other woman said. “Oh, I’m Annie by the way.”
“Nice to meet you,” I mumbled.
She nodded and wrapped an arm around Grace’s waist. “So I hate to ask, but I need you to tell me what you can.”
I licked my lips. “Ok.” I pulled the blanket tighter around my shoulders and gathered my thoughts, then I started.
My face heated as I described meeting Frederick, and the way he’d been that night at and after the costume party. I detailed the incessant messages, until I blocked him, then the way he’d shown up at my work and at other public places. Finally I described arriving home and realizing that my apartment had been broken into.
“He moved fast,” Grace noted once I finished. “It’s only been two weeks.”
