Page 92 of Captured Love

My eyes widen as I process Isla's words. “Wait, you think she's been, what, stalking Knox? Trying to gather intel on him and the people in his life?”

“It's possible. I mean, think about it. She's clearly obsessed with getting him back, and she's not above playing dirty to get what she wants.”

“But she seemed surprised to see me at the hockey game. Wouldn’t she have known about me sooner?”

Isla shrugged. “Maybe she hadn’t put two and two together about you two yet. After all, it’s not like Knox was seriously dating anyone after her until you.”

“I don't know…. It seems a bit far-fetched, even for Tessa. But I guess I can't put anything past her at this point.”

“I might be totally off base. But I just wanted you to be aware of the possibility.”

I let the idea roll around in my head for a moment before I turn my gaze back to Isla. “When’s your next class and is Tessa usually in your room at this time?”

Isla checks her phone quickly. “I have class in about an hour. And no, Tessa's class or something should be beginning in about ten minutes. Why?”

I stand up and gather my garbage, formulating the plan that’s spinning in my mind as I go. “I think we should go take a closer look at that little black book. If there's even a chance it has information about Knox or me, I want to know.”

Isla looks hesitant for a moment but then agrees. “You're right. Better to know what we're dealing with. Let's go.”

We throw out our trash and put away our trays and head out of the dining hall. The walk across campus allows us to make sure that Tessa will definitely not be in the room once we arrive at our destination. Once we’re there, Isla uses her badge to get through the main entrance and unlocks the door of her room when we reach it.

“It should be on her desk,” Isla whispers, moving toward Tessa's side of the room.

“Okay,” I whisper back. Why we are whispering I’m not sure, but it just feels right. I follow, my eyes scanning the desk until they land on a small, nondescript black notebook. I pick it up and flip it open.

At first glance, it looks like a normal small notebook. Then I swallow hard as I start recognizing some of the names. They are people I know from around campus and even a few professors. Next to each name are details about each person, which is weird as hell. But soon I realize that’s the tip of the iceberg. As I flip further, I start to see Knox's name appearing more and more.

My fingers tighten around the notebook as I turn another page because apparently, I can’t stop. It’s like watching a car accident unfold in front of me and I can’t take my eyes away from the scene.

Knox’s name is everywhere. His practice and game schedule is listed. Places where she might be able to catch him around campus. How did she know all of this stuff?

I flip another page and almost drop the book.

I find myself staring at my own name. I freeze.What the hell?

Right next to it are notes she’s made. They include dates and observations she’s figured were important enough for her to write down:

- Library shift: late night three days a week.

-Working out in the gym.

- At hockey game tonight. Did not expect. Need to adjust.

I think I’m going to be sick. I slam the book shut and I wish I could lie and say I wasn’t shaking. “What the actualfuck?”

Isla, who had been leaning over my shoulder reading along, sucks her teeth. “Okay, I waskiddingabout the whole ‘stalking’ thing, but, uh… I take it back. I was so very wrong.”

I rub a hand across my face as I try to wrap my head around what we’ve just uncovered. “She’s not just keeping tabs on Knox.” I swallow hard, forcing the words out. “She’s been watching me as well.”

“What’s her endgame here?”

That’s a great question and I don’t know, outside of her wanting to obviously get back with Knox.

And that’s the problem.

Because whatever Tessa’s planning, she’s been working on it for a while.

And that means she’s not done yet.

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