Page 36 of Triggered By Love
“Except I’m not in any danger. It’s been a year, and if anyone was out to get me, they would have done something already. Maybe it was random, and it’s you who’s trying to scare me. You can’t let go of this, and you’re driving me nuts thinking I’m the target.”
“You’re right. I can’t let it go.” His brows lowered over those hawkish eyes. “I can’t let you go.”
“You’re starting to sound as freaky as a regular stalker.” She resumed her jog, hoping she didn’t sound nervous. “Should I be afraid of you?”
“You wanted to talk. Talk.” He kept pace with her effortlessly.
“About what?”
“Anything. Just talk.”
As if anything was “just talking” with him. He was a police investigator. Anything she said could and would be used against her in a court of law. What was he really after? Her body or her heart? Or was this all a cat and mouse game with him?
Not answering him, she took the path toward the lake. The day was bright, and the sun was hot on her face. A woman pushed a stroller, and the little boy inside chewed on the ribbon holding a red balloon. A man wearing a gray hoodie and sweats ran by with a large German shepherd.
No one on mountain bikes buzzed by them, and after a mile bordering the lake, Avery slowed to a walk and took a large swallow from her water bottle.
Like Jason, she was completely comfortable with silence, but since she had an opportunity, she might as well try and understand this man who felt it his duty to play guard dog with her. She would open up to him enough to get him to open up to her. Right? Two-way street.
The man was edgy and elbowing his way into her life. He wasn’t going to leave her alone, and frankly, she didn’t want to be alone.
Joan’s comments had hit home.
Would Brando want her to be an almost-widow for the next fifty years?
It didn’t mean Jason would be the one—he didn’t want to be, and she wasn’t ready, but he was paying attention.
A gentle breeze blew over the lake, and the reeds close to shore swayed like mourners at a candlelight vigil. The water sparkled, and in the distance, the city skyscrapers rose above the tree line.
She felt like holding his hand, and since he’d offered his presence, she took it without asking. She cleared her throat several times before letting the words percolate from her heart.
“I don’t know myself anymore. It’s almost been a year, and I thought by now, I’d be on firmer ground.”
They walked hand in hand several steps, and she didn’t expect him to reply. No interruptions to draw attention to himself or platitudes or fake encouragements. Somehow, she liked that about him.
It allowed her to spread her wings.
“I grew up in a large family. You probably know all this already. Four brothers who love me, and one younger sister who hates me.”
The only indication he heard was a tightening of his grip. She bet he wanted to know why Harper hated her, but she didn’t even know herself. She could guess or make up stories, but Jason wanted to know about her and not her family.
“So, you see? I’m not perfect. Someone hates me, but don’t you be getting any ideas my sister’s behind all of this.”
“What is she like?” he asked, and she detected a glint of interest in his tone.
“Younger and prettier. She’s out west going to college, and unlike other sisters, we’re not close.”
“Did she like Brando?” The question mark was definitely back on his face.
She sighed and shook her head, waving off his question. “I can’t read her mind, but as far as I could tell, there wasn’t any interest. I told you, she doesn’t care about me either way.”
“Was it because your parents favored you?”
Oh, he was good with the questions. Making assumptions so she could either confirm or refute.
“My parents love each of us in the way we need, so it’s different.”
“How was it with you?”
