Page 39 of Love Me Stalk Me
As I pull up the live feeds to do my rounds, I spot Amanda walking into Izzy's office, already talking, already up to whatever the hell she gets up to. Her blonde hair swings with each animated gesture, her voice inaudible through the monitor but clearly energetic.
Izzy looks up, shaking her head at something, but she doesn't kick her out. There's an ease between them I haven't seen her share with anyone else.
I check my phone.
She never responded to my text this morning. Well, Caleb’s text.
Caleb
Good morning, pretty girl. Make sure you eat something today.
Nothing.
I stuff my phone back into my pocket, ignoring the completely irrational irritation curling in my gut. She's still getting used to it. She was apprehensive about the app to begin with.
That's all this is.
It's fine.
I step onto the sales floor, the change in lighting momentarily disorienting after the dimness of the security suite. The polished floors gleam under the bright lights, the morning crowd still thin but growing. I scan the perimeter as I approach the first guy in rotation—Martinez.
"Morning," I say, nodding at him. "Everything good?"
Martinez straightens, alert, professional. "Yeah, all clear so far. Had a guy hanging around the watch display for too long when we opened, but he moved on once I gave him a look."
"Subtle intimidation. Nice touch."
Martinez grins, his earpiece chirping softly at his hip. "Figured I'd go for thedon't even think about itapproach."
I nod. "Works better than chasing them down after the fact." I scan the floor, checking the usual high-theft areas, noting the position of each security camera. "Anything else?"
"Couple of new employees seem green," he adds. "One of the girls in accessories left a display case open for way too long. I let her manager know, but it might be worth reminding them all about general security protocol."
I glance toward accessories, making a mental note. "Good catch. I'll bring it up in our next staff briefing."
Martinez nods, and I pat his shoulder once. "Let me know if anything changes."
"Always," he says, already shifting his attention back to his post, his posture returning to the subtle alertness that marks a good security officer.
I move on, heading toward the next position.
That's when my focus drifts.
It happens without me realizing it—the moment my brain isn't occupied,she's there.
Izzy.
Last night. The conversation I shouldn't have enjoyed as much as I did. The way she started opening up, even just a little. I shake my head. This is wrong. I don't do this. I don't attach. The military trained me better than this—attachment is vulnerability, vulnerability is risk.
And yet...
For the first time in longer than I can remember, I actually got a few hours of sleep. Not good sleep, but better than usual. The usual nightmares had stayed at the edges instead of consuming me entirely.
And I can't stop thinking about why. I'm still scowling at myself when I reach the next guy in rotation. Harris.
I nod at him. "How's it looking?"
He starts talking, and I make an effort to listen. I really do. But then my phone vibrates against my thigh. I glance at the screen. And freeze.
