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He reaches out his hand to shake mine. “Vaughn, what’s up?” He steps closer to me, his beady brown eyes staring at me.
“Let’s get a drink and have a little chat.” We step up to the bar and order drinks.
Heineken for me.
Whiskey Sour for my boy, Colby.
I bet he thinks I’m here to offer him some job or something, and well, why wouldn’t he think that?
We make small talk for a bit, and he tells me how excited he is for Paisley.
I’m excited too. Of course, I am. Paisley has such an eye for design it all becomes clear that she should be doing this with her life instead of selling homes.
“Paisley’s a great girl,” I say and set my bottle of beer on the bar.
“I agree. She’s always been a major motivation for me.” Colby’s eyes transform to something like admiration. Or maybe it’s creepy fondness. Either way that’s what I’m here to find out.
“You and her never…” I let my words fall away but my implication is loud and clear.
Colby rushes a hand through his hair. “God, no. I would never. She’s a great girl and all, but you’re more my type than she is, if you know what I mean.” Now it’s time for his words to fall away and let his implication ring true.
“Oh.” I’m absolutely speechless. I was positive Colby had some sort of thing for Paisley. How had I read this guy so wrong?
I think I just let my feelings for Paisley cloud my judgement. But, apparently she trusts this guy, so I decide to level with him. “Listen Colby,” I start. “Paisley’s been having some issues.”
There’s clear worry etched on his face. “What’s going on?”
I tell him the whole story, leaving no stone unturned. He listens as I explain everything happening with Paisley and our company.
When I finish he takes a sip of his drink. “I can’t believe this is happening to her. And you guys have no clue?”
I shake my head. “None. Is there anyone at work? Or someone you know?”
Colby thinks for a long second and then scoots a little closer. “Chat with Paisley about her boss.”
“Her boss?”
“He’s got a very jealous wife, maybe something is going on there.”
“Thanks, I’ll look into that.” I sit and debate on if a jealous wife could be the reason Paisley is having issues. But, what kind of person could cost Spencer and I work?
I bid Colby a good night, and head out after dropping some money on the bar to cover the drinks.
I walk out of the bar and head to my truck in the lot. Before I even make it there, headlights flash in my direction.
The next thing I know, a car hauls ass in my direction. I stop, wondering which way I should go, knowing I’m blocked in between a wall and a car.
The car at the last second turns, and I try to get the license plate, but there’s too much dust and dirt flying up from the parking lot.
Fucker.
Well, I now know Colby isn’t our guy.
I rush to my truck, starting up the engine as quickly as possible, trying to follow the black car.
Once I get onto the main street it’s like it’s up and vanished. Instead of heading home, I head in the direction of Paisley’s parents’ house.
I just have to see if she’s ok.
Twenty-Five
Paisley
* * *
I’m up in my room, making a list of possible people that could be messing with me. I want to catch this person once and for all. I want to have a plan in place to do so. I’m tired of Spencer and Vaughn's business suffering because of me.
Just thinking about Vaughn makes my fingers itch to touch him. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and I want to make this thing last between us. But, with a stalker on the loose it’s hard to get alone time to talk about anything.
So, I need to end this stalker business now. Because I can’t start a new relationship with this hanging over my head.
It wouldn’t be right for him.
I glance out my window, spotting Vaughn’s truck sitting across the street.
I smile, grabbing my phone. “Hi stalker,” I text him.
“Can you sneak out?”
I laugh, grabbing a white cardigan as I make my way downstairs. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
My father stops me. “No, not with some crazy lunatic after you.” God, I feel like I’m in high school again.
“It’s ok. Vaughn’s outside.”
My father glances out the window, checking to see if Vaughn is indeed out there. He smiles when he sees Vaughn’s truck. “Be safe.”
I give my father a hug. “We will be.”
I head out the front door, down the lighted path lined with wildflowers, and hop into the passenger side door of Vaughn’s truck. “Hi.”
“Hey, want to go for a drive?”
I lean my head back, gazing up at the full moon hanging low in the sky. “Yes, that would be perfect.”
