Page 134 of Trick or Stalk

“And cried on him.”

Her tail taps the rug.

“Do you think he noticed?”

Penny stares at me.

“Right. Stupid question.”

Of course he noticed.

For fuck’s sake, I buried my face against his chest while he held me and tried to convince me I wasn't going to die inside a bookstore storage room.

I close my eyes, hearing his voice inside my head.

I've got you.

Three simple words.

But the way he said them, it was like he meant them.

Like nothing could touch me while his arms were around me.

I liked that feeling far too much.

But then he vanished... and I’m not sure how I feel about that.

On one hand, I didn't need him watching me retrieve my emotional-support dachshund because a temperamental door sent me into a complete breakdown.

On the other, he didn’t even say goodnight.

Penny lets out a little huff. I stare at her, realizing I spoke those words aloud.

“Sorry.”

She puts her head down.

“You’re my very important emotional-support dachshund.”

Her tail moves.

“Feel better?”

Another thump.

I laugh and grab the remote.

“Tonight, we're watching something normal. Absolutely no masked killers.”

Or haunted houses.

Or stalkers.

Or women running upstairs when the front door is six feet away.

I find a romantic comedy. “Perfect.”

Penny jumps onto the couch.