Page 131 of Falling for Love

My gut twisted.

What was he doing?

No one sat in their car in nine-degree weather unless they had a reason, and I didn’t like the one my mind was conjuring up.

Could this be her ex? Was he already trying to make his presence known?

I pulled out my phone and dialed Nate, the sheriff, and an old friend. He picked up on the second ring.

“What’s up, Liam?” Nate asked, his voice casual.

“Hey, there’s something weird going on near Evie’s place,” I said, keeping my eyes on the parked car. “A guy is sitting in his car, staring at her house. Hasn’t moved.”

Nate’s tone shifted immediately. “You think it’s her ex?”

So he knew the details. This town worked fast.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, glancing back toward Evie’s house. “But it doesn’t feel right.”

“Alright. I’ll send a deputy over to check it out. You still there?”

“Yeah,” I said, my fingers drumming against the steering wheel. “But I’m not just sitting here. I’m going to talk to him.”

“Liam—” Nate started, but I cut him off.

“I’ll be careful,” I promised. “Just let me know when your deputy’s close.”

“Fine,” Nate said, though his tone was laced with frustration. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

I ended the call, slipping my phone into my pocket as I turned my truck around and parked a few feet behind the other car. The guy still hadn’t moved, his face illuminated by his phone as he scrolled.

I stepped out, the icy air biting at my skin as I walked toward the driver’s side of the car. The guy noticed me when I was a few feet away, lowering his phone and rolling down the window slightly.

“Evening,” I said, keeping my tone even. “Cold night to be sitting out here.”

“Just waiting on someone,” he replied, his voice curt.

I nodded slowly, taking in the man’s features. Mid-thirties, scruffy, with tired eyes that flicked nervously toward Evie’s house.

“That so?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. “Because it looks to me like you’ve been watching that house.”

He shifted in his seat, clenching his jaw. “Like I said, I’m waiting on someone.”

“Funny,” I said, my voice hardening. “If you’re waiting on someone, maybe you can explain why your car’s been parked here for a while, and your eyes haven’t left that house unless they’re staring at your phone.”

His gaze darted to me, then back to his phone. “None of your business.”

I took a step closer.

“Here’s the thing—it is my business. That’s my friend’s house, and I’m not too fond of people lurking around where they shouldn’t be. So why don’t we skip the games, and you tell me who you’re waiting for?”

The guy’s lips pressed into a thin line. His knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.

“I don’t have to tell you anything.”

“Alright,” I said, pulling my phone from my pocket. “Then maybe you can explain it to the sheriff. He’s on his way.”

That got his attention. His eyes widened slightly, his body shifting as if he was considering bolting.

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