Page 18 of Dead Pretty

No answer.

“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter. “Looks like I’m going in.”

I don’t have my rape alarm on me.

My phone is in my pocket though. I get it out and get it ready for a call to 911 if necessary.

One day into knowing Jack, and look what’s happening already.

My life has been peaceful these past six months. And now, it’s been disrupted by a cute cat and her hot owner.

Listen to me. Potentially dangerous situation, and I’m thinking about Jack being hot.

I need my head checked.

Nothing new there.

Taking a deep breath, I step inside Jack’s apartment.

His apartment mirrors mine.

Except there are boxes in his living room. He did say he moved in a short time ago. A brown leather sofa. A large screen TV sitting on a wooden sideboard.

“Jack,” I call out again.

Still nothing.

I walk carefully through the living room, heading to the small hall that I know will lead to the bedroom and bathroom.

Both doors are open.

One wide open, showing me it’s the bathroom, and it’s empty of Jack.

The other, only slightly ajar.

Which is his bedroom.

I knock on the door. “Jack?”

Still no answer.

I slowly push open the door with my hand.

The bedroom is empty too.

“Why are you in my apartment?” The deep voice comes from behind me.

I simultaneously scream and spin on the spot. In turn causing Eleven to freak out. She ejects from my arms and bolts. I feel a sharp pain on my arm. But my heart is beating too hard, adrenaline rushing through my body too quickly for me to pay it any attention.

“Jesus! Jack!” I press my hand to my chest. I’m panting, out of breath, like I just ran a marathon.

Jack is staring at me with a mixture of amusement curling his mouth and apprehension in his eyes.

Which makes sense. Because he just found his neighbor, whom he met only yesterday, standing in his bedroom.

“S-sorry,” I stammer. “Eleven was at my door, scratching it, and I was ju-just bringing her back to you. Your door was open, and I called your name, but you didn’t answer. I was worried, so I came in to check that you weren’t hurt or anything. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s not every day I come home to find a pretty girl in my bedroom.”