Page 41 of Secret Admirer

“If I had a problem with someone who has money, more money than me, I’d have a problem with just about everyone on the planet. I don’t fault you for having this amazing house and car or the money in your bank account, or secretly hope to steal it away from you. You, Coco, are one of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met and if I met you on the street,”—I smile because we met on the street—“I’d never know your net balance, only the beautiful, kind woman in front of me.”

Taking in a deep breath, I try to hold my tears back. I shouldn’t have asked him if he had a problem with money, but I’ve seen it time and time again in my life. I’m no longer worried except that I’ve upset a man who’s been nothing but kind and stayed here protecting me.

Reaching for his hand, Bodhi lets me take it and move closer until our thighs are touching. “I’m sorry. I’m letting my past interfere with my present and that’s not right. You’re amazing and I should have known you don’t care. I…when you didn’t want to drive my car, I thought…I don’t know, but I’m truly sorry.”

Wrapping his arms around me, Bodhi pulls me onto his lap and hugs me to him. He kisses the top of my head and then rests his head on top of mine. “I’m not sure I want to drive your car because I haven’t driven in four years and it’s an expensive car. People here drive like maniacs.” I feel his silent laughter vibrating through his chest.

He’s not wrong. Driving and traffic is bad here, but not as bad as LA.

“If you’re not comfortable, it’s fine, but it would make me feel better to know you’re here with everything that’s been going on lately.” It’s scary how it could be anyone leaving dead animals and coming onto my property.

I feel his head lift as his arms tighten around me. “Did you hear something?”

“Nothing. Why?”

Then I hear the distinct sound of crackling can be heard in the distance and as my gaze pans my property, I spot a fire that has ignited just within view. It’s not close, but I know it’s on my land and there’s nothing down there to cause a fire. I jump out of Bodhi’s lap at the same time he stands and starts to run off the patio.

“Bodhi,” I shout, “grab your shoes.”

Jogging back, he slips his shoes on. Grabbing my shoulders, he leans down and orders. “Get inside, lock the doors and set the alarm. Do. Not. Come. Out. Until. You. See. Me. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I nod nervously. “Bodhi, please be safe.” Rising up, I kiss him quickly as another burst of fire flares up.

“Call nine, one, one!” he shouts over his shoulder as he sprints away.

It feels like déjà vu all over again. I head inside to do as Bodhi asked and breathe a nervous sigh when the dispatcher says a fire truck and the police will be here in ten minutes. Yes, ten minutes is a short amount of time considering I live far out of town, but every second that passes creates more knots in my stomach.

I stand at the glass looking out for any sign of Bodhi but see none. Not even a shadow. After long minutes, the fire flares once more before I see the flashing lights of the fire department truck. It stops on the road, and I expect to see Bodhi at any moment, but I see nothing other than the flash of lights and cacti. I fight the urge to go outside and search for him. What if he’s hurt? Or worse?

A loud knock comes from the front door causing me to jump and spin around. I turn to look out the glass again, unsure what to do. What if it’s someone bad at the door? But it could be Bodhi? Or a fireman? Another loud knock on the door and my heart rate spikes. I run halfway between the sliders at the living room and the front door. Pulling up the app on my phone to see who’s at the door, I only get static. I shake my phone thinking maybe somehow that will help bring up the camera view of the front door. Of course, it doesn’t. I’ve only used it once to test it and it worked then.

A loud thump sounds at the glass making me twirl around and gasp. Bodhi is standing there plastered against the glass with his all white clothes dirty and dark smears across his face. “Coco,” he pants before turning to look back to where the fire was, “can you unlock the door?”

Running back to the sliders, I quickly unlock them and open it enough for Bodhi to come inside. “Are you okay? What happened?”

He looks around the room looking exhausted and then down at himself. “I need to get out of these clothes.” He starts walking, almost dragging his body. “Someone might be here soon to talk to you.”

“I heard a knock but wasn’t sure if I should answer it. I’ll go talk to them and then you can tell me what happened.” I start to turn around and wheel back. “Why don’t you use my bathroom? Take a bath if you want.”

He turns from the first stair; he steps down and nods. I’m not sure what to make of his mood. He almost seems defeated. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but something is definitely wrong.

“Bodhi, are you okay?” He nods but says nothing. “I’ll be in there in a few minutes if that’s okay.”

“It’s your house,” he mumbles.

“But it’s your privacy. If you want to be left alone, I’ll give you all the time you need,” I counter. Something is definitely wrong.

“I’m fine. It’s fine. Come in when you’re done.”

Does fine actually mean fine to men? Because we all know when a woman says she’s fine that’s the furthest thing from the truth.

My steps match Bodhi’s slow strides as I make my way to the front door. With no camera, I have to do it the old fashion way and peek out the side window. There in my driveway now sits a police car and a very annoyed or at least impatient policeman at my door.

Opening the door, I smile trying to look apologetic for making him wait so long. “I’m so sorry for making you wait. I wasn’t sure who was at the door and then my camera app isn’t working.”

“I understand ma’am. I’m Officer Davis. Are you Coco Beckett, the owner of this house?”

“I am.” Nervously I pick at the hem of my shirt.

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