Page 33 of Someone Like You
“Oh.” Disappointment darkened his face, but he rebounded fast. “Of course you are.” Both hands were in his pockets now. “Sorry.” He pointed to the exit. “So … I guess I’ll be going.” A sheepish grin flashed on his handsome face. “Had to try.” Once more his eyes held hers. Respect marked his expression, but his interest hadn’t lessened. That much was clear. He gave a slight nod. “Nice meeting you, Maddie.”
Before she could say anything he turned and sauntered toward the bottom of the path and the exit. Outside the exhibit, he turned right toward the lions and after a minute he slipped out of view.
Maddie felt flushed and her heart beat faster than before. Part of her wanted to call out to him, talk to him a bit longer, find out more about his report. More about him, whoever he was.
This Dawson Gage.
Maddie squeezed her eyes shut. What was she thinking? She was in love with Connor Flanigan. Some stranger couldn’t turn her head. She exhaled. Everything was fine. The whole moment had been so sudden, that was all. Justfear and relief coming together in an encounter she hadn’t expected.
Yes, that had to be it.
The rest of her shift passed quickly and her boss arrived to take her place. She left the kangaroo enclosure and looked both ways. Like she expected to see the stranger again. But he wasn’t on any of the benches near her exhibit. She walked toward the parking lot. Just as well.
She was practically a married woman. No reason to be looking around for a handsome stranger she’d only just met. But when she passed the flamingos she heard her name and turned.
He was on a bench near the lemurs and as she stopped, he stood and came to her. This time he didn’t saunter and his expression seemed more intense. What was so serious?
Never mind how handsome he was. She loved Connor with all her being. She would tell this Dawson Gage there wasn’t a chance, and that would be that. He could stop chasing her around and go back to wherever he came from.
The distance between them closed and he set his backpack on the ground. “Maddie.”
She held her purse tight to her body. “I’m sorry.” She shook her head. “I told you … I’m engaged to a guy I love. Very much.”
He searched her eyes. “I … I don’t want to ask you out. There’s something else.” Whatever he wanted to say, he must’ve thought about it since their meeting earlier. “I have information for you.”
Maddie started to turn around. Maybe the guywasa stalker. No one ever said a bad guy couldn’t be handsomeand charming. “I have to go. My fiancé is expecting me and—”
“Wait. Please.” He took a step closer. “Don’t go. Hear me out.”
Maybe if she gave him a chance to speak his mind, he’d leave her alone. “Fine.” She wasn’t smiling. “Tell me.”
His expression softened. “I lied to you earlier. I’m sorry.”
She looked around but they were alone on this part of the path. As if the zoo were deserted except for the two of them. “About what?”
He didn’t break eye contact. “I’m not here doing a report.” His words were slow, deliberate. “Maddie, I’m a developer from Portland, Oregon. I came to Indiana looking for you.”
Her head started to spin. He was going to kidnap her, threaten her family and take her back to his home. And then who knew what he’d do to her. Again she backed away. She could still run. Race down the path until she found someone, anyone who would help her.
But he took a step closer. “The news, Maddie … it’s about your biological family.”
A few seconds passed while his words registered. She faced him. “Biological?”
“Yes.” Now he seemed in a hurry to get the details out. “Your biological parents are good friends of mine. Their daughter is … was one of my best friends.”
Maddie shook her head. She felt the hint of a sympathetic smile lift her lips. “I’m sorry, Dawson.” Poor guy had wasted all this time looking for her and now he had the wrong girl. “My family lives here.” She hesitated. “You must be looking for someone else.”
Without saying a word, Dawson pulled a slip of paper from the pocket of his backpack. “Here. It’s my number.”
She shook her head. “I can’t help you. Whoever you’re looking for, I don’t know her.”
“Maddie … I’m looking for you. Maddie West. Bloomington, Indiana. Daughter of Doctors Peter and Brooke Baxter West. Your biological family lives in Portland. Near me.” He exhaled, clearly discouraged. The piece of paper was still in his outstretched hand. “I thought you’d want to know about your sister. That’s all.”
Anger rippled through her. “What do you know about my sister?” She’d had enough of the stranger and his crazy words.
“I loved her.” His words rang with passion, conviction. “Not Hayley.” He took a slow breath. “London. Your biological sister.”
“What?” How did he know where she lived? Or her parents’ names? How did he know about Hayley? Maddie’s knees began to shake. What did he mean,her biological family? Who was this London girl?
