Page 102 of Creep

Both Emily and I were operating the counter, and both registers were empty. Emily spoke out her greeting, but he ignored her and went over to me.

The man was even more perfect up close.

He had light-brown hair, flawless fair skin, and blue eyes that reminded me of someone. He was tall, lean, and muscular.

“Hello,” he said, his lips curving into a small, secretive smile.

“Hi. What can I get for you?”

“A black Americano.”

I nodded, entered the order, and wondered if it was nothing more than a coincidence that he ordered the same thing Mael did or if there was just something about him that reminded me of Mael.

“That will be six twenty-five,” I said, watching as he paid and placed a twenty-dollar bill in the tip jar.

“Thanks, Lia.”

I blinked. I was sure I had never told him my name.

He pointed at his chest, then at me. I looked down to see my name tag hanging on the front of my apron.

“Right. You’re welcome.”

“Theo. You can call me Theo.”

“Oh,” I said in surprise. No wonder he looked so familiar to me. “You’re Mael’s brother.”

“The one and only.”

I smiled and held out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too. I’m actually meeting him for coffee. I suggested this place because I wanted to see you.”

“Oh? And?”

He looked me up and down, that charming smile firmly in place. “You are exactly as he said. I can see why he’s so obsessed with you.”

“Obsessed,” I repeated. Mael was… sweet. And charming. But obsessed with me? My stalker was obsessed, but Mael…

I shook away the thought. Now wasn’t the time for me to think about that.

Emily came up with Theo’s coffee cup, handing it over to him.

He winked at her. “Thanks, sweetheart.” He turned to me. “We’ll talk soon.”

She blushed and let out a small sigh when he walked away. “That’s not fair. How can two brothers both be so good-looking?”

I let out a small chuckle, absolutely agreeing with her. I didn’t know how I imagined Theo to look, but this was not it. He was pretty. Admittedly, prettier than Mael. He looked like one of the male models who graced the front of a big magazine. But I much preferred Mael’s roughness.

We went back to work after that. It didn’t take Mael long to show up. I waved at him when he saw me, blushing slightly when he shot me that signature smile, feeling a small pinch in my heart.

Was he my stalker?

And how the hell was I supposed to react if that was the case? It didn’t matter that he had never hurt me. There were just some lines you didn’t cross. But I didn’t have any proof, just a small inkling with enough wiggle room for doubt to squeeze in.

And what the hell was I supposed to do if he really wasn’t?

The things I’d done with my stalker?

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