Page 15 of The Photograph

“Excuse me?”

His palms flatten on the marble top while his eyes narrow. “Davey and two other people told me you were there with Gabe Matthews.”

I swallow my groan. I hate gossip. Hate it with a passion. But I’ve known John for a decade, so I breathe deeply to stop myself from poking his judgmental glare and clasp my fingers on the cool stone of the counter.

“Who I go to the market with or do anything else with, for that matter, is no one’s business but mine.”

John’s eyes soften and he reaches for my hands. “Angel—”

Pulling my hand free, I get on my feet behind the stool. “Aelin or Ael, John. The only person who calls me angel is Cara, you know that.”

My overprotective friend crosses his arms on his chest while his eyes blaze at me. “I just want what’s best for you, Aelin.”

I exhale a shaky breath and my chest tightens. Every time I date someone for more than a couple of weeks, John-the-savior comes to the fore with his self-righteous-you-need-protection-because-you’re-broken cape wrapped around him. I know it comes from a good place, so I focus on that part for a couple of seconds.

Why do men protect women by caging them?

“John, I know you think you’re being a good friend, but having people report my whereabouts to you is downright creepy.”

He rounds the island to wrap his hands around my shoulders. “Aelin, I don’t want you to get hurt.”

But I was, and I survived.Stepping out of his reach, I lift my gaze to his. “I can take care of myself, John. Hurting is part of life and I’ll deal with it if it happens. John I know what’s best for me. Please, be my friend and back off. Please.”

He lifts his palms up in the I-give-up gesture, retreats behind the island, and buries his hands in his pockets. “Okay, I’m sorry.”

“Thank you.” When his expression softens, I breathe a little easier. “So why did you call me here?”

His thick brows undulate over his smiling blue eyes. “I have a surprise for you.”

I love surprises.Beaming, I clutch my hands together. “Show me.”

Hand in hand, we make our way to the workshop, right at the back where he yanks a heavy tarp off to reveal two large blocks of beige stone.

I whip my gaze to his. “Oh my God! You found it?” I graze my fingers on the cold rough stone. “This is going to be perfect for the balcony off the main bedroom. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

After we catch up, John walks me to my car.

****

I’m barely inside my house when someone gets their finger stuck on the doorbell.

Through the peephole, a young man wearing a baseball cap waves at me. “Ms. Thorne, I have a delivery for you.”

I open the door and take the small package from his hands. “Thank you.”

Grinning, I sit on the couch in our smaller lounge at the back of the house.

The silver wrapping paper looks like lace. There’s no card attached. I unwrap the box, open it, and gasp.

Oh, my God.It’s the antique pendant I wanted to buy this morning. It comes with the perfect matching chain.Who would….?

When my cell rings, I jump. “Hello?”

Gabe’s voice is low, intimate. “How does it look on you?”

My fast heartbeats clog my words.

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