Page 35 of Sinful Promise

“Oh, man! Has she roped you into babysitting?”

“No, nothing like that.”

“Em, is something wrong?”

“Well…not exactly. Do you remember that guy from the party we worked at together? The one who kept talking to me?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Well, he’s sort of been…stalking me.”

“What? Are you serious right now?”

I wince at how high her voice has risen.

“Yeah. He’s been leaving lingerie and stuff in my bedroom.”

“Holy shit, Em. This is all my fault. I talked you into working that stupid party and now?—”

“This is not your fault. Jana, listen to me. Ichoseto work that party.”

“I practically forced you into it!” Jana is almost hysterical right now. “I thought it would be a good way for you to get over Tom and now look at what's happened! Some psycho has been breaking into your apartment. What if you were home?” Jana’s voice cracks, and I tense.

I know she’s feeling terrible right now, and I don’t want to make it worse by admitting that I did in fact come face-to-face with a strange man when I was wearing nothing but a towel.

That seems more like need-to-know information.

“Jana, I’m a big girl who can make her own decisions. You didn’t force me to do anything, so please don’t blame yourself. Besides, I’m completely fine. I’m just being cautious, so I’m staying with Zara for the time being.”

“I-I’m so sorry, Em. Is there anything I can do?”

“Honestly, I’m fine. Just do me a favor and stay away from my building for a while. At least, until it’s safe.”

“Okay, will do.”

“Oh, and Jana?”

“Yeah?”

“You work those parties more often. I don’t suppose anything like this has happened to you, has it?”

“No, but then again, I don’t have the whole girl-next-door thing going for me like you do. I would say you should take this as a compliment, but that would make me a terrible friend, so I’m not going to.”

“Yeah, no.”

I’m not that starved for male attention that the idea of a stranger sending me lingerie and threatening to kidnap me turns me on.

“Have you told Danil?”

I stare out at the city below, wondering where Danil is right now.

“No. And I want to keep it that way.”

“You sure? I know Danil would want to know.”

“Which is exactly why I don’t want to tell him. So, if you run into him for any reason, please keep this to yourself.”

“Fine. But only if you promise that you’ll call me in the morning?”

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