Page 59 of Sinful Promise

“I promise.”

“Okay, good. Now, don’t study too hard.” She waves goodbye.

I let the sun warm my face for a few more moments before I start the short walk over to the burrito van that is parked across the street. As much as I would like to head home and change into my pajamas to study, it’s almost five, which means the twins will be at the overtired stage, and I do not have the energy to deal with their meltdowns while trying to memorize notecards.

Thankfully, exam season is almost over, so the library is practically empty.

Though, as I’m walking toward the main library in Washing Square after grabbing a quick burrito, the hair on the back of my neck stands up. The temperature is in the mid-seventies, so I’m by no means cold, which means only one thing.

Someone is following me.

I look over my shoulder and my skin prickles.

Is he here?

I glance around, but campus is emptying out after the last classes have just finished, so it’s hard to make out anyone incriminating-looking among the crowd of students.

Which means it’s all too easy for someone to follow me.

My heart rate spikes, and I clutch my phone to my chest.

Should I call Dimitri?

But what if it’s nothing? What if I’m just being paranoid?

I decide the safest option is to go back to the library, where I know there is a security guard that hangs around. At least thatway, if Iambeing followed, whoever it is will be unlikely to make a move in broad daylight.

Maybe I should have taken Dimitri up on his offer of a bodyguard after all. At least it would have given me some peace of mind because now all I’m going to be able to focus on is the feeling of someone watching me rather than my exam.

I know it’s only a feeling, but it’s becoming more and more frequent, and I know it’s about time I told Zara and Dimitri before it’s too late. Maybe tonight is the night I finally come clean. But until then, I dart inside the library and decide to take a seat at one of the central tables, which are in full view of both the library staff and the other students, just to be on the safe side.

As I finishthe final sentence on my practice exam paper, I toss my pen down and stretch my arms over my head. The hard plastic chair beneath me is doing nothing for my back, and my neck aches from hunching over my textbooks.

How long have I been here?

I check my phone and see that three hours have flown by, and I curse when I turn off the do not disturb and my screen is flooded with missed calls and messages from my sister asking me where the hell I am.

She knew I’d be staying after my lecture to study, but I promised I would be home by seven, which was over an hour ago.

I need to call Zara back before my sister sends out a search party. Or worse, our dad.

Quickly packing up my things, I throw my bag over my shoulder and head toward the library exit, tossing the foil wrapper from my dinner in the trash as I go.

Cell phones aren’t allowed in the main study area, so I don’t hit dial on Zara’s name until the exit doors are in sight.

My sister answers on the second ring.

“What the hell, Emily? I’ve been worried sick.”

“I’m so sorry, Zara. I was studying and lost track of time.”

“I thought you’d been kidnapped!”

I push open the heavy door with my shoulder. “Didn’t you track my phone? It would have shown you where I was.”

“You mean where your phone was? For all I know, you could have left it behind.”

“What’s the point of having a tracker on my phone if you don’t trust it?”

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