Page 123 of Bite Marks & Broken Hearts

I crossed my arms. “Right.”

“And anyway, James is… Well, he’s boring. Really boring. All his posts are about his kids passing their driving tests, medieval literature, or his dog’s anxiety issues.” Felix moved closer, lowering his voice. “He’s married to some historian. They collect antique maps together.” He made a face. “Trust me, it’s as thrilling as it sounds.”

“But Seb still wants to know about him.”

“It’s… complicated, though, don’t you think? When you live as long as Seb has, I think you need to know the people you cared about are okay. That they’re happy. Even if you’re not part of their lives anymore.”

Felix earned a glare for his logical wisdom. The idea of watching someone you loved grow old without you, knowing you’d stay frozen in time while they moved forward—it must be torture.

Felix leaned back against his desk, fiddling with a USB stick. “You know, Sebhasbeen acting strange of late.” His tone held a teasing lilt.

“Oh yeah?”

“He keeps smiling way more. It’s weird.” He shuddered dramatically. “The other day, I caught him humming.Humming. I’ve been here over a year, and I’ve never heard him make any noise that wasn’t a sigh or a threat.”

A warmth spread through me, pushing back some of the cold doubt. “Thanks, Felix.”

My phone vibrated. Katie’s name lit up the screen, and I sighed, already exhausted.

“Hello?”

“So, don’t be mad, but I’m outside your bakery. The one where you work.”

“What?!” Through the phone, I heard the unmistakable rush of London traffic. She wasn’t lying. “Why would you—”

“After that cryptic phone call? Of course I had to come. I told Connor to book us on the first flight.”

My stomach plummeted. “Connor’shere?”

“The girl at Rising Dough said you were off work sick?”

“Emma?”

“Yeah. Though she doesn’t believe you. She thinks there’s something going on with you and this dangerous stalker? Apparently, the other day, she left you alone with him in the bakery and then ten minutes later the building got broken into?”

“That happened after we left,” I said, squeezing my eyes tightly together as if I could magic Katie back to Ireland.

“She said she thinks he could be in a gang.” Her voice sharpened. “That he won’t leave you alone. That he could be threatening you?”

“Urgg!”Goddamn Emma and her caring personality!

Next to me, Felix seemed to be vibrating with suppressed laughter and I kicked his leg. Hard.

“Message me your address,” Katie demanded.

I pressed my hand against my forehead. “I’m… not at my London flat. I’m at… a hotel.”

“A hotel?” Her voice dropped to a hiss. “Have you gone into hiding?”

“No! It’s sort of…hishotel. But he’s not a dangerous stalker, Katie. Honest.”

“So thereissomeone!” She sighed, that familiar big-sister sigh that made me feel about twelve years old. “Look, Flynn, I know the attention of this man probably feels exciting—”

“Stop talking. Now.”

“Flynn, you’ve got two choices. Text me your address, or I’m calling the police. I mean it. You’re scaring me.”

I glanced at Felix.Could I give her the name of the hotel? Not without talking to Seb…

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