Page 34 of Someone Like You
Maddie’s hands trembled. The nerve of this stranger to say these things. “I’m not adopted. Don’t you think I’d know?” Her words sounded fierce. She started to turn again. “I have to leave.”
“Here.” He held the paper out again. “Just take it.” He paused. “That way you can call me. If you ever want to talk.”
Maybe it was Dawson’s sincerity or maybe her curiosity over how the guy could’ve confused her with whoever he was looking for. Whatever in that instant compelled her, Maddie stopped and took his number. “I need to go. Youhave the wrong person.” She was a few yards away from him now. “Don’t come after me again.”
“Wait.” He called after her. “Maddie, I’m telling you the truth. I promise.”
Before she could scream or break into a full sprint, she glanced back and felt the slightest relief. He wasn’t coming after her. Maybe he was biding his time or making a plan for another day. But he wouldn’t trick her into talking to him or going anywhere with him.
Clearly he knew who she was, where she lived and her parents’ names. He even knew about Hayley. Maybe he didn’t have her confused with someone else. This might just be his way of stalking her, so she’d spend more time with him.
Fear pushed her faster toward her car. The nerve. Telling her she was adopted. Of all things. She looked back several times on her way to the parking lot, but the guy wasn’t chasing her. He was nowhere in sight.
Good.Thank You, God.She climbed into her car, threw the piece of paper on her passenger seat and started the engine. First thing tomorrow she’d report him to administration and zoo security. The way she should’ve done yesterday. After that she wouldn’t have to worry.
Dawson Gage wasn’t going to bother her again.
She could hardly wait to get home and tell her parents about the whole thing.
12
Maddie thought about calling Connor on the way home, but her mind was still spinning. What would compel a stranger to come from the other side of the country to the Indianapolis Zoo, all so he could tell her some fabricated story about some fictitious adoption?
He was either dangerous or terribly confused.
Either way, Maddie still felt uneasy when she pulled into her family’s garage and walked into the house. She set her purse and car keys down on the floor just inside the foyer and found her mom in the kitchen. “I’m glad you’re here.” Maddie went straight to her and hugged her. “I had the worst day.”
Her mother held her for a long moment and then slipped a meat loaf pan in the oven. Maddie must’ve looked terrible, because her mom seemed worried. “Honey … you’re pale. What happened?” She felt Maddie’s head. “Are you sick?”
“Only because of what happened.” Maddie dropped to the nearest kitchen chair. “Wait till you hear this.”
Her mom took the chair beside hers and reached for Maddie’s hand. “Did someone hurt you?”
“No.” Maddie took a deep breath. “The craziest thing.”
Before she could tell her mother about the stranger, her dad joined them. His smile faded when he saw Maddie. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
“She was just about to tell me.” Her mom patted the chair next to her. “Come sit.”
Hayley was at her piano lesson, so it was just the three of them.Breathe, Maddie told herself.You’re okay.She looked from her mother to her dad. “This guy … he was at the zoo yesterday. All day. And every few hours I caught him looking at me.”
Her father leaned forward. “We need to contact the police.”
“It gets weirder.” She folded her hands and set them on the table. “He was back again today and he came up to me. Introduced himself. Dawson Gage, he told me.”
“Maddie, you should’ve called for help.” Her mother looked outraged. “Someone stalking you at your workplace? That’s against the law.”
“I know.” Maddie sighed. It felt so good to be home, away from the stranger. “I will. Tomorrow.”
“So what did he say?” Her dad looked ready to take care of the situation. “Was there more?”
“Yes.” Maddie paused. “He was clearly delusional or dangerous. Or maybe he had me mixed up with someone else.”
Her mom reached out and put her hand over Maddie’s. “This is very serious, sweetie. Thank you for telling us.”
Maddie nodded. “At first he made up this elaborate story about writing a report on animals and just, you know, coming up to me because he thought I was pretty.” She held up her left hand. “I told him I was engaged. But then later … later he stopped me on my way to the car. Near the flamingos.”
Fury built in her father’s eyes. “I don’t like this.”
