Page 44 of Chasing Amanda

She’d spent almost an hour with a detective, a prosecutor, and an FBI agent, going over everything that’d happened Saturday night, then going back to Thursday night at the bar and on her way home.

When she finally finished answering all their questions, she learned they’d turned up a fourth victim—another young woman found dead on a college campus. So far, Amanda was the only one to have survived.

She shuddered, not wanting to consider what might have happened as she turned toward her apartment.

And froze.

Mark was standing on the sidewalk, facing her. He looked dashing in his uniform—khaki colored with a matching hat and a light brown shirt and tie.

Amanda’s heart fluttered, and she hurried toward him. He was so handsome in that uniform—so much better than Superman. How had someone she’d known only a few days become so important to her?

He was waiting for her. Her heart soared. Of course he hadn’t meant what he’d said the morning before.

“I saw you go in.”

There was something in his posture and his tone that had her stopping a few feet away from him.

“I needed to grab some lunch,” Mark continued, “and I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

“Oh.”

“Are you? Okay?”

She didn’t know how to answer that question.

He approached her slowly. When he got close enough, he lifted his hand and traced his finger along the bruise beneath her eye.

It looked worse today, black and puffy. No makeup had covered it.

He swallowed, closed his mouth in a line, and shifted his hand to her hair. He slid his fingers down a lock, and her whole body tingled.

She jerked away.

“Sorry.”

Sorry? He was sorry? For what? For touching her? For leaving her? Or waiting for her? For breaking her heart?

For saving her life?

What was she supposed to say in response to sorry?

“How are you?” His voice was warm, his tone tender.

She stiffened, mustering anger to keep her tears at bay. “What difference does it make?”

“I care, Amanda. I just⁠—”

“Just not that much. I get it.” She started walking.

He fell into step beside her. “Mind if I walk you home?”

“Why?”

“Because… I thought you might be nervous.”

“He was denied bail.”

“I know. Still.” He matched her pace.