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“Love to,” Hazel said.
In the office, Charley was busy sniffing and inspecting every object. I went back to Peter. His light brown hair was longer, curling more at the ends. He wore slacks and a button-up shirt, with shiny, expensive-looking shoes.
“Was that man in front a security guard?” he asked as we walked toward the backyard.
“Tyrese—yes.” I huffed. “I have a stalker. He snuck into the yard yesterday and now my life is on lockdown.”
“A stalker?” He touched my elbow, and I turned around to face him at the top of the stairs. “Are you all right?”
I chewed on my bottom lip. “I’m sick of this asshole terrorizing my life.”
He pulled me in for a hug. There was a very pleasant frankincense and lemon scent to him, and I leaned in, my skin tingling as his hand smoothed down my back.
“A dog,” he said, “is a great idea.”
I nodded, moving away from him, trying not to get ideas about what was happening. Antonio waved from his barbecue. Forest and Layla were outside on the patio by their room.
“Hang on a minute, Peter,” I said. “I need to thank Forest for pushing my stalker in the pool yesterday.” I had thanked him last night, but it had been a rushed thing with all that was going on.
“Good man,” said Peter, then he wandered over to Antonio.
Layla and Forest looked up from their chairs as I walked up to them. Forest had his feet up on a stool, an icepack covering part of his leg.
“Forest, I don’t know how I can thank you. I’d like to do something nice for you guys. How’s your leg? Did you see adoctor today?” When he’d tackled Miller into the pool he’d fallen badly.
Forest nodded, his chin dipping down. “Yep. Just a bruise. I’m on the injured list for football for about a week then I should be back.”
I exhaled. “Oh, thank heaven. That was pure heroism yesterday. You let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks,” he said, smiling a little.
“Thank you for the big bouquet of flowers,” Layla said, her expression bright. “They came this afternoon.”
“You bet. Thank you for dating the bravest man in Eugene, Oregon. Another second and that damn asshole might have fired his gun.”
Layla gulped. “That was, like, the most terrifying thing I’ve ever been through. When you ran after him with that Taser, I held my breath and thought my heart was going to burst—he still had that gun and I didn’t know if it worked after the pool.”
“The new ones do,” said Forest.
I nodded. “I read up on it today a bit but I’m not sure what kind of handgun he had—small enough to fit in his coat pocket. But I saw him tuck it in his jeans before I ran out. If I hadn’t bumped into that damn overturned chair, I would have had him.” My chest tightened. Still couldn’t believe I’d missed my one freakin’ chance.
“The best defense is a good offense,” said Forest, holding his fist up to me.
I bumped it with my own. “Damn straight.”
“Do you think he’ll come back?” Layla said, clutching her glass against her chest.
“I think he’ll try to jump me outside of the house,” I said. “Tyrese and his crew are turning this place into a fortress.” I sighed.
Layla blinked and relaxed against her chair. “Tyrese seems sharp.”
“Definitely.” I sniffed. “And bossy. Antonio told you he’s cooking for you tonight, right?” They nodded. “All right, good. I’ll bring you your plates. See you in a bit.”
Antonio had, in fact, made a feast—my idea, which I think he secretly liked, even if he wouldn’t admit it. The housemates were getting dinner along with the security crew, and Peter if he was interested. The big pork butt on the grill smelled incredibly good as it dripped clear juices onto the skewers of pineapple below it.
“Would you like some dinner?” I asked Peter. “We’re celebrating surviving yesterday.”
“Thank you, yes. My plan had been to ask you out to dinner. But I suppose things are a little complicated today.” His dark blue eyes gazed down at me warmly.
