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I’m straightening out a table when a hand lands on my shoulder. “Conner, I told you—” The words die on my tongue as I come face to face with Tim.
“What are you doing here?” I blurt out.
“It’s good to see you too, Dove.” He flashes me a blinding smile, but I don’t return it.
“You shouldn’t have come here.”
“We need to talk.” His expression turns grim.
“I have nothing to say to you.” I glance around, but it’s quiet, except for a couple of customers deep in their own conversations. “This is my place of work, Tim. You have no right coming in here like this.” My body trembles and I step back, putting some distance between us.
“You owe me ten minutes at least.” His tone is sharper, and part of me wants to ask what the hell his problem is, but I’m at work. Not to mention, the rest of me just wants to get far, far away from him.
I can’t put my finger on it, but something feels off.
“How did you know where to find me, Tim? Did you speak to my parents? Because I—”
“A mutual friend.” He winks, then crowds me against the table, grabbing my arm. “We need to talk. Let’s go.”
“Get the hell off me,” I startle, yanking my arm free.
Jeb notices and rushes over to us. “Hadley, is there a problem here?”
“Tim was just leaving, weren’t you?” I narrow my eyes.
“I’m not leaving until you talk to—“
“Oh, big guy.” Jeb pulls to his full height. “Either you can leave peacefully, or I can call the police and have your ass arrested.”
“Fine.” Tim releases me with a sneer. “I’m going.” He storms out of the shop and takes off down the street.
“Guy troubles?”
“I... I’m sorry about that.” I hug myself tight.
“Are you okay?” He touches my arm, and I flinch. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
He doesn’t know the half of it.
Tim is here, in Sterling Bay.
Another shudder rolls through me.
“Look, why don’t you take five, catch your breath. I’ll manage out here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Go. And if he comes back, I’m calling the police, okay?”
I nod, relief settling into my bones. I’m safe here. Jeb will look out for me, and maybe I can call Conner to give me a ride back to the dorms.
But then what?
Tim could still be out there, watching me. He obviously knows where I work, does he know where I live too?
Oh God, what am I going to do?
Telling myself not to panic, I take some calming breaths. Conner will give me a ride back to the dorms, and then tomorrow, I’ll tell Miss Jones. She’ll know what to do.
