Page 30 of Right Number, Wrong Man
A cold sweat breaks on my brow.
Okay, the sound was definitely real. And whoever is up there is real, too. Unless we’re talking ghosts, and I would’ve noticed paranormal activities during my months working here.
I’m sure I locked the entrance. I tried it twice because I’ve seen too many horror movies where lone women leavetheir doors open and get murdered. Couldn’t happen to me. No, sir!
I’m always vigilant—unless I’m sexting with a hot stranger.
Apart from a murderer breaking in, there’s only one person who can enter the theater at this hour and just thinking the name makes me shudder.
Colton Walker.
Crouching, I grab the mop from the cleaning trolley and try swinging it. Should I break the handle across my thigh like they do in action movies? Then I’d have something to stab the intruder with, but I’m not the athletic type. And honestly, that stunt always looks like it would really hurt my leg.
Deep breaths, Hailey.
This can’t be how I die. I just had the most amazing sexting session with a mysterious hot guy and I didn’t even get to ask his name yet. It simply can’t end like this.
But if this isn’t a break in and Colt heard me moaning, I’ll have to change my name, run away to another country, and live off the grid in a cabin with no electricity, which sounds frankly awful.
Actually, forget about himhearingme.
What if hesawme?!
From the projector room, he’d have a great view of me going to town like a rabbit in mating season, humping my own hand for the camera.
White-knuckling the mop, I skulk toward the exit.
Let it be a murderer. Please, please, fucking please-with-a-cherry-on-top, let it be a crazy murderer instead of my dead ex’s brother.
12
HAILEY
With a war cry,I bust out of the door and start swinging.
The mop makes a wet schlopping noise as it hitssomething. I’m seriously impressed with my aim—maybe I missed my calling as an action star after all—until I notice the beige hat on the floor.
Shit. Not a murderer then.
Cue the awkward record scratch sound effect.
“For Christ’s sake, woman! What the hell are you doin’?” Colt grits out, his accent coming through thicker than usual. “Take this thing outta my face right now!” He swats at the mop, ripping it out of my grasp before tossing it to the floor.
I stand there, mouth open, staring at the sheen of dirty water on his skin.
He picks up his hat, brushing it off while he scowls at me. His face is bright red, his chest heaves with furious breaths, and those blue eyes of his speak volumes.Deadlyvolumes. It looks like he’s about to shoot ice lasers fromthem and turn me into a human popsicle. That might be a better way to go out than whatever I’ve got coming.
Ha, I’m in trouble.
My knees are jelly. I’ve never seen him this mad and that’s a record, because Colt is always mad at me. And mad at the world. Mad at the universe.
He’s the angriest man I’ve met. Come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him smile.
“You think this is funny?” he bites out. “What are you starin’ at?”
True, whatamI staring at?
His messy, damp hair hanging into his eyes is kind of cute. He used to wear it shorter, but he’s grown it out into one of those 90s heartthrob cuts. Usually, it’s hidden under his hat, but it’s pretty sexy and accentuates his sharp jaw?—
