I nod to myself, my decision made.
I take the stairs two at a time and pad down the hallway to my bedroom. The house is quiet, which I normally don’t mind. Tonight, it just feels... lonely.
After removing my jeans, I crawl into bed wearing his sweatshirt and pull the blankets up around me like a cocoon.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand. It’s nothing important—just Dad reminding me he won’t be home.
Typical. He’s gone a lot. I don’t know why he thinks I need to be reminded of that. I’m a twenty-five-year-old adult who can fend for herself, so it’s kind of a moot point.
I stayed here because of him. He was a wreck after my mom’s death. Even though he’s gotten back on his feet, part of me fears that leaving might cause him to regress.
Rolling onto my side, I bury my nose in my arm, breathing in Sebastian’s scent. It’s both soothing and exciting.
But sleep doesn’t come easily.
Every time I close my eyes, I see his face. Feel the way my heart skipped a beat when he said my name. Hear the gravel crunch under his boots like a warning bell for bad men everywhere.
Eventually, exhaustion wins, and I finally drift off.
I wakeup with the sun streaming through my curtains and a grin already tugging at my lips.
I stretch, roll onto my back—and freeze.
I’m wearing his sweatshirt. The one that still smells like him.
I press my face into the fabric and inhale before I can stop myself.
Okay. That was indulgent. And maybe a little weird.
But also? Totally worth it.
After reluctantly removing the sweatshirt and hanging it carefully on the back of my bedroom chair, I head for the shower. Then I make coffee and sit at the kitchen table with my laptop.
Research time.
I start simple by typing his name into Google. Goosebumps rise on my skin just looking at it.
Sebastian Locke.
I press enter, then analyze the results that come back.
I slap a hand over my mouth when I see it.
He lives on my street.
I click through property records, then Google Maps.My finger hovers as the satellite view loads. I choke on my coffee when I realize he lives three doors down from me.
I’m giddy as I lean back in my chair, laughing softly.
The man who saved me from Silas and made my heart short-circuit is living in my neighborhood.
My gaze drifts to the woods behind my house. The trail cutting through the trees runs right to his property.
Interesting. Very interesting.
I stand, grab his sweatshirt, and hug it to my chest.
It’s a sign from the universe.
