Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59236 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 296(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
“Which one of you can pull the security footage from the shop?” Ethan said.
“I can,” I said, and went to his laptop. I sat grimly and watched black and white video shot from the ceiling camera in the shop—images of Madison happily talking with Olivia while she worked. It was a gut punch, seeing the pair of them together, knowing that I was the one who’d brought this into Madison’s life.
I looked over at Ethan. He shook his head.
“What?” I said.
“Stop thinking what you’re thinking.”
“Oh? And what am I thinking?”
“That maybe Madison was better off lonely than with us and having a stalker now. It’s bullshit. You blame yourself for everything, but not this time,” Ethan said gruffly.
I drew a long breath and emailed the footage to the police officer we were told to contact if she violated the restraining order.
24
ETHAN
Of all the shitty timing.
“I leave tomorrow for the conference,” I told Leo grimly. “I’m reluctant to leave town with things the way they are.”
“You mean because the stalker got into Madison’s shop, and you don’t want to tell Noah because he’ll feel even guiltier.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I’ve already talked to a private sector security firm about protecting the two of them until this woman is in jail. The point is, I don’t want to be at a distance if anything happens.”
“I’ll give you credit for putting it that way instead of saying you needed to be in town to protect us.”
“I’m an architect, Leo,” I said, “I realize I’m not an MMA pro. I can make phone calls and set up security details and stay informed about the situation. I can ask Judy to put pressure on the DA about resolving this. I didn’t plan to stockpile rocket launchers and make noise about how she should come and get us.”
“That’s good to know,” Leo said. “You have to go. You’re giving the keynote. You were excited about it and made us watch the whole slide deck twice.”
“So I heard from Judy, she said they’re calling it her first offense and she’ll pay a fine and get a warning not to go near us again. The cops aren’t going to arrest her, Leo.”
“Fuck.”
“My words exactly,” I grunted.
“I’ll hang out at the shop if you want, keep an eye out.”
“I wasn’t asking you to watch them. I wanted your opinion on going.”
“You got my opinion. You should go.”
“Okay,” I said.
I confirmed my travel arrangements and did an online check-in for my flight. Then I went to talk to Noah while Madison showered. He agreed with Leo but with a side of guilt that I had to worry about it.
“I’m going to ask her to come with me. Maybe she’d like the weekend away and she’d be out of sight around here.”
“Out of danger, you mean,” he said, “she’s got a brunch on Sunday. She won’t go.”
“That was before she found out Olivia was the new hire. Maybe she’d like to distance herself from the shop for a few days.”
“Good luck,” he said.
When Madison emerged in her robe, I asked her to have a seat.
“Okay, but I’m fine. I’m disappointed that she fooled me, but it’s good that we figured it out before she could sabotage the new oven or something just to get back at me for dating Noah. It’s sweet of you all to check up on me, but I’m not upset.”
“I wasn’t being sweet,” I admitted, “I’m giving a speech at a conference in Chicago this weekend. I wanted to invite you to come along. The suite’s comped because I’m giving the keynote and it’s a nice place. You could go to the spa, see the sights, have a weekend away.” I said.
“No thank you,” she said, “It sounds like a fun weekend, but I have a big order for a bridal shower on Sunday. I can’t miss it. The commission on it is huge, and I gave my word that I’d do it.”
“Okay. If you change your mind, let me know,” I said. Madison took my hand and held it, her pretty eyes serious on mine.
“We’ll be okay here. You can stop worrying. I know you give Noah crap for blaming himself, but you think you have to carry the weight of the world, too.”
“What about me?” Leo said.
“You’re good with electrical stuff,” she quipped, and Noah and I howled with laughter.
“She roasted you. We’re the deep thinkers with existential dilemmas. You change the lightbulbs.” Noah said.
“When do you leave?” she asked.
“Early. I’ve ordered a car.”
“Then I’ll tell you to have a good trip now, and I’ll miss you,” she said. She took my hand and held it.
I couldn’t help leaning in, kissing her like she was my sweetheart, and I was going to war. I gathered her in my arms and held her, warm and pliant from her bath, wrapped in her soft robe and naked beneath it. My body stirred against hers and when her fingers curled around the back of my neck, I hardened in response.