Page 55 of Like A Moth To A Flame

“Remember you told me all about the crush you used to have?”

I chuckled. It was true. I’d had a crush on Tommy for a very long time, especially as a teenager, and it only intensified when he was the one to save me.

“I mean, I get it,” Amelia gave me a mischievous grin. “He’s fuckin’ hot.”

I sheepishly tucked the phone into my purse, clearing my throat.

“So, I never thought you’d be the type,” Amelia chuckled, righting herself and reaching for the keys.

“What… type?”

“So this guy has been leaving creepy notes?”

“Yes.”

“And watching through your windows?”

“Mhmm.”

“And breaking into your house and watching you sleep?”

“Well, I didn’t—”

“So he’s a stalker?”

I stayed quiet. She was the second person to use that word now.

“So you fucked your stalker?”

“I did notfuckhim!” I snapped.

“Okay, then what was that?” she asked, a look on her face that I couldn’t quite place.

“It was just hands, and—”

“Okay, so you got finger blasted by your stalker,” she shrugged. “And you’re not calling the cops… why?”

“I don’t want anyone to know!”

She blinked owlishly at me, a look of disbelief stark on her face.

“He’s gonnakillyou.”

I sighed, my hands coming up and pulling down my face—but careful to avoid my eyeliner and eyebrows. I didn’t do all that work for nothing.

“Vanessa,” she said, and her sarcastic tone had switched to concern. “This is really serious. He could hurt you. This is assault. What’s next?”

I didn’t know what to say. I knew her concern came from a place of love, but I also knew I couldn’t do what she asked. I just couldn’t.

“Listen,” I said, twisting to look at her in the seat. “My dad was the chief. Everyone in this town knows me, knows who I am, and knows who my family is. If they find out that Don Harper’s daughter—”

“Respectfully, hun?” she said, giving me a sad smile. “Your dad’s gone, and he wouldn’t want you hurt.”

“And I am hisdaughter,” I said, and there was weight to my voice. “I am the last Harper, and I will be damned if I let some creep who doesn’t know how to talk to women scare me into airing my dirty laundry to every single person in this town. If I tell five tonight, fifty will know by sunrise.”

“Gossip?! You’ll let him wear your skin as a vest because of gossip?! Vanessa, you—”

“Because I’m ashamed!”

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