Page 43 of Deception and New Direction

“Do you think it’s just coincidence?”

“Not necessarily, butIalso don’t think it’s cause for panic yet.”

“Why not?”Iasked becauseIfelt like if someone you didn’t know was following you, it wasn’t usually for a good reason.

“I textedArcherthe plate info about an hour ago whenIfirst realized it was the same vehicle,” he told me, whichIhadn’t known, and it kind of irked me that he hadn’t shared that. “Theguy certainly isn’t a professional, nor is he trying to hide the fact that he is going to all the same spots we are.So, either this person is the world’s worst tail, or they are genuinely going to the same stores we are.”

“Maybe they work in construction or something?”Itried to think up a plausible explanation.

“Let’s test that theory.Picksomewhere else to go that’s not related to that.”

“What do you mean?”Iasked him, not quite following what he was saying.

“Let’s go get some lunch, but at a place where a male who works in construction probably wouldn’t pick as first on his list to eat,”Jacksuggested.

“Like what?”

“What’s that place you andElliego to all the time that has a bunch of flower wallpaper and girly décor on the inside?Theone thatDanejoked stripped his manhood when he walked in the door to pick up your order the one time?”

I laughed, remembering that moment. “ChickenSaladChick!”

“Bingo,”Jackagreed. “It’sdown the street by the pet store, yes?”

“Yeah, which is good ‘causeIcan pick up a few things forDashwhile we’re there,”Iinformed him.

“Good, and it also gives us plenty of time to see if our interests still align with our blue stalker.”

“What about you?Aren’tyou afraid your manhood is going to be threatened if you step foot in there?”Iteased him.

“I think my manhood is stronger than a few flowers, but how about we try it out, and thenI’lllet you check out my manhood after and tell me if you think it’s affected.”Helifted his brows at me suggestively, which caused me to roll my eyes.

* * *

An hour later, we were headed back home.OurblueMustangstalker had not followed us to the restaurant or the pet store, nor did they join back up with us on our way home.

It felt weird having it just be a coincidence, especially with everything that had happened lately, but with the immediate threat gone,Ichose to just move on.

We started unloading the large haul from theSUVand carrying everything into the house.Ihad learned over the last few weeks how to wrap plastic bags around my crutches whileIwalked soIcould at least assist in carrying a few things to and from the houses.

Jack andIleft the door open so it would make it easier going back and forth, but sadly, that also allowedDashto sneak out the front.Iwasn’t too worried at first because he mostly just sniffed around the yard investigating, but then his mortal enemy showed up—a squirrel.

Dash bolted.Heshot off like a blur, clearly thrilled with his taste of freedom to chase the critter.Igasped and lurched forward, almost losing my balance.

“Dash!”Ishouted. “No!Dash, come back!”

Jack, who was walking out of the house again, realized what had just happened. “I’vegot him.Stayhere,” he said, already sprinting across the yard and toward the trees.

The wooded area filled with trees was the border of the property that the guys shared.Itwasn’t a full-fledged forest, but it was thick enough to provide ample privacy, and also a way forDashto get lost.

I may not be able to spring away likeJack, butIwasn’t going to stay either.Notwhen my baby—my sweet, nosy, occasionally dumb dog—was racing away.Ihobbled forward as fast asIcould on my crutches, eyes scanning the woods that bothDashandJackhad disappeared into.

I tried callingDash’sname again and again asIworked my way slowly toward the woods.

I hated feeling useless.Hatedthat my body couldn’t keep up.

By the timeJackcame back withDash—who looked sad that his great escape was thwarted—Iwas easily more than fifty yards from the house.

“I’m just going to put him in the backyard so he’s safe whileIcarry in the rest of the stuff,”Jacksaid, walking by me toward the backyard—carrying him like a little baby in his arms.

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