Page 73 of By the Book

They all lean forward as I take a steadying breath. “I’m really worried he isn’t going to come around.” I look down and swirl the glass of wine in my hand. “And I’m really worried that is going to cause Tripp to back away from me. He was kind of weird on the phone today and canceled our plans we had tonight.”

My friends reach for me, but just telling them has me feeling better already. Because it seems silly saying it aloud. Tripp has been so certain about us; he wouldn’t pull back like this.

Poppy gives me a squeeze. “That man is crazy about you, and he knew what he was risking with Wes. I promise you that he’s not going anywhere.”

“Plus, he’s got a lot going on right now. You know, that pesky detail that someone has it out for you because you took their keys. He’s probably so focused on catching him.” Wren points out.

“Oh, that. I need more wine,” I mutter.

Wren passes the bottle and Poppy gives me a generous pour. We talk and laugh and commiserate. On nights like this, I don’t feel like I ran away from anything by coming home. I feel like I ran towards what I was missing. Who I was missing.

As the dark night sets in around us, the wine bottle empties, and the reality of work the next day grows near. I reach for my phone to text Tripp, to let him know I’d be heading out in case he wants to send Millie my way. Or even better, tell me to come to his house for the night. I was starting to crave the salty air at the cliffside. It’s peaceful out there, cozy.

Digging around in my bag, I realize that my phone isn’t there. I check the couch and the kitchen, nothing. I try to remember the last time I recall having it, and my brain floats back to my store. When Poppy texted and I was arranging flowers, I had set it down right there. Looks like I’ll be heading back to the Brick District after all. Saying my goodbyes, I step into the evening air.

I arrive at my shop and climb out of my Lexus just as a gust of wind passes through. Pushing my hair back from my eyes, I shiver from the way the breeze cuts straight through me. Autumn is beautiful, but the evenings grow harsh the later into the season we get.

There is sudden movement to my side, and I jump in surprise. Catsby flicks his tail as he approaches, as if amused that he startled me. “What are you doing hanging around this late?” I ask him. Usually, he leaves for wherever home is as dark approaches.

Stepping up to my store, I notice that the door is slightly ajar. “I’m guessing that wasn’t your doing,” I mumble to the feline. Warning bells sound in my brain and I hesitate, taking a minute to think this through. Of course, the first idea that comes to me is to call Tripp. Except, my phone isinside. I could leave. I could go find him at work or his house, then bring him back with me.

But the biting breeze reminds me that this might all be for nothing. For all I know, I didn’t close the door properly and it simply blew open. The gusts are significant tonight. I forgot my phone after all, maybe I forgot to lock up too? I was in such a rush to get to Poppy’s SOS and the memory of closing up sits just out my reach.

I peer through the window, looking for any signs of movement. There’s nothing, and I tell myself that it’s just my mind playing tricks on me. With everything going on, it makes sense that I got nervous. But it seems that no one is inside, so I open the door the rest of the way and step in slowly.

Despite my mind trying to reason away the open door, my heart is still racing with fear. I look around me for anything that could be used as a weapon if necessary. At the checkout counter, I have marble bookends. I could go grab one. But my phone is just inside the door here. I could also simply grab it and go back outside to call Tripp. I reach out to slide the device into my hand just as a sound rings out around the corner of the shelves.

“I’m sure it was nothing, I’ll just get Tripp,” I reason to myself. Maybe Catsby followed me in.

“No, you won’t.”

My head shoots up at the cold, deep voice that comes from around the corner. A dark figure steps out into the moonlight shining through the windows. Standing only a few feet in front me, I can see his face clearly now. And I know him.

“You won’t be calling anyone, Ivy,” he instructs, withdrawing a gun and pointing it at my chest. “I want my keys.”

I nod in agreement, it’s the only thing I can think to do. As he takes another step closer to me, a thrumming pulse fills my ears. The realization that it’s the sound of my pounding heartbeat taunts me, back to being afraid in my own shop. Only, this time the situation is much worse. Is this what a heart attack feels like? When I speak, it sounds like my voice belongs to someone else, someone in the distance.

“You?” I manage.

5 years ago

Tripp

I’ll kill him. If I thought I was angry on the car ride up here, that was nothing compared to now. Hearing that this little asshole actually tried to force Ivy to sleep with him causes bile to rise in my throat. He has to pay.

Luckily, names are on the doors for each room in this building and I find who I’m looking for in no time. My knuckles echo against the wood until it swings open, revealing exactly the guy I wanted to see. He looks up at me with wide eyes. We met once, briefly. Ivy had brought him home to meet her family, of course I was there. I wouldn’t miss Ivy coming home, ever. Even if she had this poor excuse for a boyfriend with her.

“Hey listen man?—”

“No, you listen.” I shove him back into his room and take a step inside. “You don’t threaten girls to sleep with you. Especially my girl.”

“Your girl?” he sputters. “I knew I picked up a vibe. She wasn’t yours though, was she? She was mine and what we do is none of your business.”

My hand is still square on his chest, I flatten his back against the wall and tower over him. There’s worry on his face now. Good. He should be worried.

“She is always mine to protect. And that makes this my business. You don’t come near her again, hear me?”

“Yeah, got it,” he mumbles, eyes glued to my other hand that’s raised in a fist. But instead of punching him, I pull him off the wall to slam him against it again. It creates a rattling effect as the whole wall vibrates from the force, and he sinks down to the ground when I release him.

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