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“Well, I’m not done with you,” he sneers. “Not by a long shot.”
I hold up my phone. “You have until the count of three and then I’m calling the police.”
Joshua laughs. “It’s a free country, Juni. I’m just standing in a parking lot.”
“Juniper… are you okay?” I spin around, relief coursing through me as I see Charity walking toward me with a security guard. Her eyes cut from me to Joshua, who I’m sure she recognizes, and back to me again.
I try to control my voice but there’s a tiny shake to it. “No, I’m not. I’m trying to get in my car and leave, but he won’t let me.”
Joshua starts laughing and my head swings his way. I’m too slow to recoil as he reaches out, chucking me under the chin playfully. “You’re adorable. One of the reasons I love you.”
I shudder from the touch… the words that are so hollow.
Joshua backs away, giving me a blinding smile. “Good seeing you, Juniper. We still have a lot to talk about.”
I watch silently as he jogs across the parking lot and gets into a gray car that is, without a doubt, a rental. I have no clue when he came to Pittsburgh or how long he’s been here, but I know he’s got no intention of leaving.
Turning to Charity, I ask, “Do you mind if I hang out in your lobby for a bit?”
“Not at all,” she says, offering her arm and motioning me to join her in the walk back. As Joshua pulls slowly out of the parking lot, I walk inside with Charity while dialing Callum’s number.
♦
We’ve been at Callum’s house for fifteen minutes and he hasn’t stopped pacing. I’ve never seen him so agitated before, as rattled by Joshua’s visit as I am. Except while I’m somewhat scared, Callum brims with anger.
My phone rings and I grab it, relieved to see Julia’s number on the screen. I connect via speakerphone and Callum comes up behind me, hand going to my lower back where his thumb rubs gently in comfort and support.
“What did you find out?” Callum asks Julia as soon as I connect the call.
“There’s nothing we can do right now,” she says with a sigh. “I’m sorry. But I worked my contacts and was able to talk to someone in the district attorney’s office there. He’s just not done anything to warrant a restraining order at this point.”
“He’s stalking Juniper,” Callum snarls. I reach out, touch his arm and shake my head for him to calm down.
“I agree,” Julia says soothingly. “But under Pennsylvania law, there has to be a pattern and one encounter isn’t enough. I did call his number though, Juniper, and left a very strong voicemail that we would be seeking a restraining order if he contacts you again. I also reminded him that this was not going to be a good look for the Willard brand as that would most certainly make the news back home.”
“He won’t care,” Callum grumbles. “The fucker is unhinged.”
I suppress a shudder as I don’t want Callum to know how rattled I was by Joshua’s visit. But when his face went blank, I realized something sinister lurks inside him that even I haven’t seen yet.
My eyes rake over Callum and it actually hurts my heart to see how distressed he is. I know what’s going on in his head, and I’m sure he’s sinking under a wave of guilt for having broken up with me all those years ago. I know him well enough to know that he’s taking this very personally.
I need to do damage control. “He’ll back off,” I say, mustering a convincingly strong voice. Callum’s eyes narrow on me and I nod to punctuate my statement. “He’s not going to do anything to create bad press for the Willard stores. He knows Preston will go bananas if he does and he won’t cross his father. Joshua came here to see if he could talk me into returning, but I made it clear I’m not. He’s not going to fight it because he knows he can’t make me do anything. I bet he’s on his way back to Nevada.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Julia says, not because she knows Joshua but because I sound pretty damn convincing.
I don’t know if Callum is buying it, but his features relax a little. He nods and lets out a sigh. “Okay… you’re probably right. But I think tomorrow you should stay home—”
“No way,” I snap. “I’m not going to become a prisoner here.”
“I’m just trying to keep you safe, Juni.”
“Um,” Julia says with a cough. “I’m going to hang up now. I don’t need to be a part of this conversation. I hope you don’t need to call me about this again, but you know where to find me.”
We say our goodbyes and then I turn to face Callum with my arms crossed. “You have no say in what I do. Tomorrow, you and I will go about our business as usual. You’ll go to work, I’ll visit my dad, and that’s that.”
Callum opens his mouth and I can tell by his expression he wants to argue. I hold up a finger. “Ah-ah. Not another word about it.”
His mouth snaps shut.
