Page 15 of Saved from Obsession

Aside from the protection part, it almost feels like we’re dating.

We aren’t, obviously, because she’s a client. And she’s certainly not looking for a relationship, not with all she’s going through. But if those reasons didn’t exist, I would definitely want to date Georgia. Which is crazy and ironic at the same time. I haven’t been interested in dating someone in years, and the first time I meet a woman I’d want to be with, there’s no chance of it happening.

But Icanbe friends with her. There’s no harm in that. I can try to make this stressful experience a little easier for her. Each day I’ve come over, she’s smiled a little more. If I can see her happy and safe, that’ll have to be enough.

My watch buzzes, finally indicating that it’s my turn to be with Georgia. I’m relieving Rylan, who has the eight A.M. to four P.M. shift. As I head to the interior door that connects the two sides of the duplex, I grab the new game that was just delivered today.

I know there are already plenty of games to choose from, but when I was browsing Amazon and saw this one with one-day shipping, I couldn’t resist. Georgia isn’t the only one who loves board games—I used to be obsessed with them as a kid.

That was back before I grew a foot and a half and started to hang around people who thought Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit and Risk were the epitome of nerdiness. And spending fifteen years in the Army working overseas didn’t leave me much time to spend on games, so it’s been an unexpected pleasure having someone to play them with.

I give the door a quick pattern of raps, using Morse code to let Rylan know that I’m coming over. While I could text him the message, this way ensures that if one of our phones is compromised, we won’t open the door to the wrong person. After several seconds, he knocks back, and I open the door and enter the living room on Georgia’s side of the duplex.

I give a short chin lift to Rylan, who’s standing by the door, before scanning the rest of the room. My eyes immediately go to Georgia. She’s sitting on the couch, a book laying on the cushion beside her, and her mouth curves into a smile as she sees me.

Smiling back at her, I ask, “How’s it been going over here? Has Rylan driven you crazy yet?”

Rylan lets out an indignant huff behind me, but there’s a note of laughter in his voice. He turns to wink at Georgia. “Hardly. Georgia was just saying how entertaining I was.”

Moving to the armchair next to the couch, I sit down and place the game on the coffee table. Looking at Georgia, I ask, “Is that so?”

“I’m not sure I used those words exactly.” A little laugh bursts out, and she adds, “But Rylan is very good company.”

Rylan grins at Georgia. “I knew it. Just like I said.” Then his gaze shifts to me, and he gives a small jerk of his head, letting me know he wants to talk to me alone before he leaves. As he says goodbye to Georgia, I wonder what he has to tell me—I know it can’t be too bad or he would have notified me right away.

I walk to the door with him, and he lowers his voice before he says, “Overall, the day went well. We talked a little about doing some self-defense training—between the three of us, I think we could teach her enough to protect herself pretty well.”

“What did she say to that?”

“She said maybe.” His brow goes down, eyes darkening. “I think she’s self conscious about getting that close to anyone.”

He’s probably right, but training her in self defense would be a really good idea. “Give her a little time, maybe ask again in a few days. As she gets more comfortable with us, I think she’ll change her mind.”

Rylan nods. “Good idea. So… aside from that, she got three messages, basically the same as the ones she’s received already. I forwarded them to myself, and I’ll send them to you, but they all look like they came from a burner phone.”

Damn. While I know we need the stalker to act so we can catch him, these messages do nothing except upset her. “Is she doing okay?”

“Yeah. She got kind of quiet after each one came in, but that was it. She’s been trying to keep busy—reading, doing crafts, and she was looking up recipes for dinner.” He pauses, his mouth pulling into a small smirk. “I think you got the good shift with Georgia. Dinner, games, TV… not exactly a hardship to spend time with her.”

I raise an eyebrow at him and pitch my voice low as I say, “It’s a job. That’s all.”

Rylan lifts an eyebrow back at me. “And that’s why you brought over a new game tonight?” His smirk broadens. “I’m off to surveillance duty. If you have any leftovers, bring some over.”

Once Rylan is gone, I turn around to see Georgia leaning over the coffee table, peering at the new game I brought over. Once she sees me looking over at her, she straightens, another smile brightening her face. “Is this for us to play tonight?”

“If you want.” I cross back over to the couch, sitting down a few feet away from her. “I saw it online, and I thought it looked interesting. Unless you want to play something different.”

“No, I’d love to play it.” Her eyes sparkle a bright sky blue. “I’ve never tried one of these escape room games before. But…” The sparkle fades from her eyes, and tiny lines form between them. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to buy things to entertain me. You already brought all these other games, and you guys are doing so much...”

“Georgia.” I put my hand on her arm without thinking—once it’s there, it feels weird to yank it away. “It’s as much for me as it is for you. The guys only want to play darts or pool or football if we’re playing outside. So it’s nice for me too. Okay?”

A little flush spreads over her cheeks, and she looks so pretty—brilliant eyes and full lips and cute little freckles scattered across her nose—it hurts my heart that she doesn’t see herself the same way. “Okay, Leo.” She starts to brush her hair across her face but stops halfway, tucking it back behind her shoulder.

She looks at me for a moment, not talking, her gaze dark and intense with an unreadable emotion. Then she blinks and says, “Dinner first. I think I can manage to make something edible, at least.”

As she gets up and heads into the kitchen, I follow along to watch and help if she needs. One thing I’ve learned already is that cooking isn’t one of Georgia’s strengths. I’m not exactly a gourmet chef myself—but one thing my mother taught me growing up was how to cook the basics. But if Georgia wants to try to cook, I’m not going to stop her.

I do end up having to save the pasta from boiling over. And the garlic bread from burning in the oven. I’m trying not to be obvious about it so Georgia doesn’t feel bad, but when I bump into her while sneaking some seasoning in the sauce, I know I’ve been busted.

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