Page 18 of Completing Her

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Before I could respond, she threw her arms around me, hugging me hard. “I was worried.”

It felt natural to hold her close. I couldn’t resist lowering my head to brush a kiss on her crown and breathe her in. Her hair smelled like summer—flowers and sunshine. It was light and airy, and I liked it a lot.

“I’m fine,” I assured her.

“Was he there?”

“Yes. But he’s gone.”

She burrowed closer, and I felt her shiver.

“I scared him, and I warned him to leave you alone. He backed off, and I hope he got the message.”

She didn’t speak, and I tucked her closer. “I need you to show me your profile on the site, okay?”

With a small sigh, she eased back and went inside. I followed her to the table, looking around as she booted up her laptop. The apartment was small but tidy. The walls were white, the furniture older but comfortable-looking. There was lots of wicker and cushions. Blankets draped over the back of the sofa, the arm of the chair. A bookcase overflowing with books. More on a table. A pile on the floor by the armchair. Various throw rugs were scattered on the wooden floors. It was feminine and pretty. Like her. The kitchen was tiny but organized. Pots and kitchen utensils hung on the one wall from a pegboard. The appliances were old, but gleamed.

“Here,” she said, pushing the laptop my way.

I studied her profile. There was no picture, just a snapshot of a sunset. Her info was basic and her memo clear.Looking for friendship in a new city.I lifted my gaze to hers. “Most people on these sites are not seeking friendship.”

“I know, but there are a few. But I wasn’t interested in a hookup.”

“Just friends?”

“I didn’t want a boyfriend. I didn’t think I was ready.”

“Ah,” I said, her words explaining a lot. “Bad experience?”

“You could say that.”

I nodded, letting it go for now. “So, no picture?”

“The site encourages people to chat and get to know each other, then exchange pictures.”

“Did you and Andy exchange photos?”

“No. We met at Roasters Coffee Bar. I had a book, and he wore a red hoodie.”

“Can you show me his profile?”

She tapped on the keyboard, frowning. “It looks like he deleted it.”

“Or made a new one.”

She sighed. “I’m going to delete mine.”

“Leave it a couple days. Please. I’m going to use it to find out more about Andy. If that’s his real name.”

“How?”

I smiled. “I have my ways.”

She chewed the inside of her cheek. “You’ve got layers, don’t you, Damien?”

I chuckled. “No. I have talent. And access to information most other people don’t have. I only use it for good, though.”

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