Page 46 of Come Back To Me
Nodding, she rings them up, and I hand her my card when she tells me the total. I look behind me when I swear my name is being whispered from close by.
A throat is cleared, and I revert my attention to the bored-looking clerk, apologizing as I take my card from her. “You have a good day.”
“Thanks, you too.” Lifting the pumpkins, I ignore the vibrating in my pocket and march to the parking lot, searching for Leo’s car. The lights flash and I move slowly toward them, setting the pumpkins on the hood as I fetch the keys. They’re gone. With my heart threatening to burst from my chest, I check the other pocket and my fingers tremble.
The car honks when a button is pressed, and then the doors unlock. Cold air pricks at my cheeks and my chest lifts higher before caving in so deep it temporarily cuts off my air supply. “Hello?”
People walk behind me but not close enough to hear what I’m saying. They don’t look my way either, too busy laughing at what one of their friends says. He’s here, closer than he’s been these last two hours. I’ve felt his heavy presence the whole time, but he hasn’t made this much noise yet. He’s getting my attention. For what?
Stepping closer to the back door, I reach for it and it locks before I can pull it open. Where the hell is he? When did he get the keys? Did I get too lost in other things going on around me that I didn’t notice him.
“You won’t see me, but you’ll feel me.” I replay his words from earlier in my head.
I jump as a man skates toward me wearing a Jason mask. My heart thumps and my eyes are locked in on the tall figure moving quickly my way. I stiffen, my arms tucked tightly at my sides, and he lifts his mask, laughing as someone behind me zooms by without glancing my way.
That wasn’t him.Beep. Beep.I grab the handle quick enough this time, flinging open the door before he can lock it again. I smile in triumph, my skin buzzing as I set the pumpkins in the back. Lights flash on the car and the alarm goes off, piercing my ears. I jolt back, sweat breaking over my head as I slam the door shut. My phone goes off again, and after wiping my damp skin, I pluck it from my front pocket.
I have two text messages waiting for me, both from Gareth.
Sexy husband:I spy with my little eye . . . something blue.
A photo loads of me eating blueberry-flavored cotton candy and my breaths sharpen as I swipe down to the latest message.
No words this time, only a picture. My stomach plummets. It’s me putting the pumpkins in the car. It’s shot at an odd angle, almost as if someone lay on the ground to take it. My eyes move from side to side frantically, afraid to go anywhere else.
Buzz . . . buzz.
I lift the phone higher to where my eyes are, and my feet tighten on the ground, feeling like it’s moving beneath me.
It’s another picture. This one has me looking down at my phone and standing exactly where I am. Much like the last one, it’s taken from below me. I finally unstick my feet from the ground, moving backward, and I glance to where it leads under the car. A shadow looms there, or someone’s side profile.
“You were wrong,” I mutter under my breath. “I can see you.”
Sexy Husband:Only because I’m ready for you to. You were wanting it too. Waiting for it for hours like a patient boy. My good, patient boy.
My heart sings while a crawling sensation moves across my skin.
Sexy Husband:Come closer, baby.
My gaze goes from my phone screen to under the car as I lower my head, and someone screams my name from close by.
“Riley! What are you doing? I need you to tell me if my pumpkins are as pretty as I think they are.”
A sound crawls up my throat and I sigh as I slide my phone into my pocket. It’s not until I’m halfway to my friend that I realize I don’t have the keys. Right as I’m about to turn around, another message comes.
Sexy Husband:They’ll be by the stuffed animals you were eyeing. It’s what made it easy for me to take them.
My next breath tickles the roof of my mouth. Pompous asshole. I swallow down a chuckle, hiding my amused expression as best I can from Leo. He doesn’t ask about the keys, looping his arm in mine and leading me to where his tired-looking fiancé is sitting. He has eight pumpkins surrounding him. A laugh flies past my lips, and I give Glen a sympathetic smile as I look over each one.
“Very pretty indeed. You’ve got great taste.”
Glen mouths me a silent thank you and I wink, hiding another laugh behind my hand as I pretend to scratch my nose.
“Don’t think I don’t see what’s happening here.” Hands on his hips, Leo’s gaze bounces between us. “You’re lying because this one here wants you to.”
“What?” I bring a hand dramatically to my chest. “I’d never conspire against my best friend.”
“Mhm.” He scrutinizes me with his green eyes. “Do you really like them?”
