Audrey stopped, accidentally yanking Charlie on the leash.
“Is everything okay?” Cassidy asked.
“Are you still looking for an office assistant?”
Cassidy’s face lit up. “Yeah. My old one had a family emergency and had to move across the country to help with that situation. I’m here practically twenty-four-seven. Do you have office experience?”
Audrey nodded. “I worked for a dentist in Spokane.” Until she’d had to quit because Bryson was jealous of her working for a man.
“When can you start?”
“As soon as you need me.”
“How about right now?” Cassidy laughed. “I’m kidding. Kind of.” She dug around and pulled out a manila envelope. “Fill this out and bring it tomorrow when you come for Charlie’s class.”
Audrey took the envelope. “Thank you.”
“Oh, and if you’re willing to volunteer a few hours a week at the doggie daycare, Charlie can play there for free while you work. If you get another dog, it’ll be full price, though.”
“Wow, really? Free doggie daycare?”
Cassidy nodded. “I like to take care of my employees.”
Audrey walked outside with a smile. It faded as soon as she saw her car. Her tires, more specifically.
They were slashed—not just flat, but the rubber hung off like ribbons.
Anger tore through her and hot, furious tears threatened.
Bryson. He’d followed her and destroyed her tires.
Chills ran down her spine. She glanced around, trying to see if he was nearby, watching her. If he was, he hid well.
Shaking, she blinked her tears away. She couldn’t go inside. If she told Cassidy what had happened, her new boss might figure out what a mess Audrey’s life was. A flat tire could happen to anyone, but this? Not a chance.
No, she needed to figure out something else. And a tow truck and a new set of tires was going to deplete her savings. It was a good thing she had just secured a new job.
Sixteen
Logan flipped the patties and wiped sweat from his brow. Making burgers on his grill in the middle of the afternoon on the hottest day of the year probably hadn’t been his best idea.
“Want some help?” Shale asked.
“Can you throw some clouds over the sun?”
Shale snickered. “Sure, that’s my specialty.”
Logan closed the lid and joined his brother at the table in the shade. It was still too hot. “Want to go inside?”
“Nope. Before long, it’ll be frosty and the leaves will be changing colors. I intend to soak up as much sun as possible.”
“Fall doesn’t sound so bad compared to this.”
“You just want to get back to work.” Shale rolled his eyes and sipped his root beer. “I think that has to be a mental disorder. Normal people don’t build up two months’ vacation and then get forced into taking it.”
Logan reached for his drink. “Normal people also aren’t the town’s most sought-after attorney.”
Shale shrugged. “Can’t argue with that.”
They sat in silence for a while. Not even a slight breeze blew by to offer them some relief from the sweltering heat.
“Anything you want to tell me?” Shale asked.
Logan turned to him. “Like what?”
“Like what? How about the fact that you’re engaged?”
Logan stared at his younger brother in disbelief. “Who told you?”
“Mom’s been telling everyone. She’s thrilled.”
“I should’ve known. I didn’t mean for her to find out.”
Shale arched a brow. “Why not?”
Logan leaned against the table. “I’m not sure it’s going to work out. It was all on a whim, but it seems like we might not be all that compatible.”
Black smoke came out from the grill. The air filled with the stench of burning meat.
Logan flew out of his chair, knocking over his drink, and opened the lid. More black smoke gushed out, blinding him and making his eyes water. He coughed and pulled the patties off the grill.
“Hope you don’t mind charbroiled burgers.”
Shale laughed. “I love my meat crispy.”
He probably meant it. Ever since he was a kid, Shale had loved burnt food—everything from toast to meat. In fact, waiters would give him funny looks when he requested his meals burned to a crisp.
Once all the food was set out on the table, Shale grabbed the blackest patty and piled on condiments.
“Is that one even edible?” Logan reached for the least charred one.
“If anyone can eat it, it’s me.” Shale grinned, then wiped some mayo from his mouth.
After they’d devoured the burgers, Logan scraped the remains off the grill. “Ready to watch the game?”
“You bet. I have money on it.”
“You’re gambling now?”
“Oh, stop being the overprotective big brother. It’s just a friendly wager with one of the other firefighters. I’m not getting back into drugs or anything, okay?” Shale glared at Logan.
“I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Right.” Shale gathered the empty plates and stormed inside.
He hadn’t meant to upset his brother, but Shale had spiraled down a bad path after Mia’s death, and Logan didn’t want to see him head down it again.
Shale came out, holding Logan’s phone. “Looks like you missed a couple calls from your fiancée.”
Logan groaned again. If he had to talk to Audrey, he was going to disappoint two people he cared for in the space of ten minutes.
Maybe he would be better off forgoing his extra vacation days and going back to work. It wasn’t that he was miserable—he was actually enjoying the time off—but everyone would be a lot happier if he went back.
The firm was probably falling apart. If he hadn’t told Carly not to call him, he’d have probably been receiving multiple calls and emails a day. Actually, there was no probably about it.
“You want to call her back?” Shale asked.
Logan took his phone. “I’d better see what she wants.” If she needed help with Bryson, he couldn’t ignore the calls.
Audrey had left a voicemail about ten minutes earlier. “I’m really sorry to bother you, but I’m at the doggie hotel and my tires have been slashed.” Logan’s stomach knotted with anger. Bryson had officially gone too far. Actually, he’d gone too far the moment he’d bruised Audrey. “I don’t know who else to call for help. I don’t have insurance for these things.”
“Everything okay?” Shale arched a brow.
Logan’s pulse pounded in his ears. He was so furious, he couldn’t see straight.
“Logan?”
“Hold on,” he snapped.
“Whatever.” Shale went inside.
Logan called Audrey.
“Logan, I—”
“Are you okay? Is Bryson there now?”
“No. I’m just standing by the building with Charlie.”
“Stay there. Or better yet, go inside. Can you go in? It’s not locked, is it?”
“It’s not.”
Logan paced. “Okay, good. Get inside. I don’t want that piece of crap thinking you’re an easy target. While you’re waiting, call Nico and let him know what’s going on. You haven’t called a tow truck?”
“I’ve only called you.”
“I’ll call one and head over.”
“But I can’t afford it.”
“I have coverage. You’re my fiancée. I’ll just add you to my plan.”
“What? Won’t that cost you extra?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t care. Just promise me you’ll go inside.”
“I’m heading in right now.”
“Stay there until either the tow truck or I arrive.” He ended the call and raced inside.
“What’s going on?” Shale asked.
“It’s complicated.” Logan grabbed his wallet and pulled out his roadside assistance card. “You can stay a
nd watch the game. I’ll be back in a few.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, this won’t take long.” Logan stormed outside and called for the tow truck. Luckily, adding Audrey hadn’t been complicated since he was friends with his insurance agent. But that was also one more person who thought his fake engagement was real.
Seventeen
Audrey ended the call with Nico, Logan’s brother-in-law who worked for the police department. He’d been super nice, but it was still humiliating to tell him the story, even though he already knew all about Bryson from Logan.
“Is everything okay?” Cassidy called from behind the counter.
Audrey wiped tears from her eyes. She had her back to Cassidy. With any luck, she hadn’t overheard Audrey talking to Nico. She’d tried to whisper, and a bird had been chirping near Cassidy.
“Just some car trouble. It’s all sorted out.”
“Let me know if I can do anything.”
“Can I just sit here and wait?”
“Of course, sweetie.”
A few minutes later, the front door opened. Logan looked around for a moment until his gaze locked with Audrey’s. He rushed over and threw his arms around her. “Are you okay?”
It took her a moment to realize that Logan’s arms were wrapped around her. She hadn’t heard from him in three days, not since he’d dropped her off after the expo and acted disinterested in her so shortly after that mind-melting kiss.
Audrey cleared her throat. “I’m fine. Just worried about my car at this point.”
Charlie jumped up on Logan and licked his arm.
“Down! Sit!” Audrey groaned.
“It’s okay.” Logan guided Charlie’s paws to the floor and sat next to Audrey. Charlie licked Logan’s hand. “You’re only worried about the car? What about your safety? About Bryson?”
“Not so loud.” She glanced over at the main desk. “That’s my new boss over there.”
“You’re working here?”
She shrugged, not wanting to explain it. “Yep. Did everything work out with the tow truck and your insurance?”
“Yeah, you’re on my plan. I’ll just need to get them your license plate and some other info. No big deal.”
“I really appreciate this.”
He squeezed her hand. “What are friends for?”
Friends. It sounded like the worst word in the English language. But she had no reason to recoil at it—that’s what she and Logan were. Just friends. Them being together made as much sense as peanut butter and mayonnaise on the same sandwich.
Logan pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen. “The tow truck’s almost here. Can I get that information for the insurance company real quick?”
She told him the license plate and the other information he needed. By the time she was done, the squealing brakes of a large vehicle sounded outside.
Logan held the door open for her.
He was so confusing.
“Is everything okay?” Cassidy called from behind the counter.
“Yeah.” Audrey forced a smile. “Tow truck’s here.”
“Good.” Cassidy flashed her a genuine smile. “Will I see you tomorrow?”
“You’re working on a Sunday?” Logan asked.
“Obedience school for the one licking your hand.” Cassidy looked like she was trying not to laugh.
Logan nodded knowingly. “If Audrey’s car isn’t ready, I’ll drive them.”
Audrey gave him a double-take. “You will? Are you sure you want Charlie in your car? That’s so nice of you.”
“I have some blankets you can put on the seats,” Cassidy offered. “Do you want me to grab them?”
Audrey shook her head. “I’ve got some in my trunk. See you tomorrow.”
“Good luck with your car.”
“Thanks.” She and Logan headed outside. The first thing Audrey saw was Logan’s shiny sports car next to her old, faded sedan.
The cars showed exactly how ill-suited she and Logan were together—why they would never have anything more than a fake engagement. She was a pauper and he a prince.
Everything went by in a blur as she gathered her things from her hideous car and got Charlie settled into the backseat of Logan’s, which still held the new-car smell. She was careful to cover every inch of the leather seat that Charlie might touch.
She rubbed Charlie’s head until he calmed down and rested his head on his front paws.
Relief washed through her that he actually calmed down in the expensive car. She’d expected him to go crazy with all the new scents.
Logan appeared. “Everything’s all set. They’ll call you when it’s ready. It might not take that long since they’re only replacing tires. Do you want me to take you to your apartment, or do you want to come home with me? Shale and I are watching the game.”
She turned to look at him. He was so close their lips nearly met. Her heart raced. As much as she wanted to go home with him, the thought of Charlie in his house made her cringe. “I’d probably better get Charlie home.”
He stepped back. “Okay. Just let me know when you need me to pick you up.”
Audrey nodded, unable to find her voice.
Logan walked with her over to the other side of the car and held open the passenger door.
Was he just being a gentleman, or did he like her? What about that kiss the other day? That hadn’t been merely a friendly kiss. At least she’d never kissed a friend like that—on the cheek, and nothing more. Maybe he was more liberal with his affection than she was used to. Way more liberal.
Charlie snored in the backseat, giving some comic relief. It was nice to laugh with Logan rather than trying to decipher his actions.
When they arrived at the apartment building, Logan didn’t cut the ignition right away. Did he expect her to gather Charlie and go?
He was beyond confusing!
Logan cleared his throat and turned to her. “Do you feel safe at home?” His tone sounded clinical.
“What?”
He held her gaze with his gorgeous amber eyes. “Bryson is clearly dangerous. You live alone in the apartment.”
“I don’t live by myself. Charlie is with me, and he hates Bryson.”
“Is that enough?”
Her heart beat wildly. Surely, he could hear it. She nodded.
“If you need anything, call me.”
“Okay.”
“Or the cops, if it’s bad. I hope it doesn’t come down to it, but Nico knows what’s going on. He’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. He would need a key to get into the building, and he doesn’t know what unit I live in.”
Logan put his hand on her arm. “People like him worry me. He could decide to rent a unit in the building. Or he could befriend someone who lives there. Promise me you’ll be careful.”
Her mouth gaped. She hadn’t thought of Bryson going to such extremes just to get in, but now that she thought about it, she wouldn’t put it past him.
“I’m not trying to scare you, but you need to be aware. Keep an eye out for him on your way to the elevator and back. Take different routes each time. Your routine is a stalker’s best friend.”
Audrey couldn’t find her voice. She hadn’t thought about Bryson as a stalker, but that was exactly what he was. She shuddered.
Logan pulled her close. His heart thundered right against her ear. “These situations can turn deadly, Audrey. I’ve stood opposite some of these monsters in the courtroom. Don’t brush it off, okay? He’s already hurt you and destroyed your property.”
“Wh-what am I supposed to do?”
He drew in a deep breath. “Tell him to leave you alone, then don’t engage him again. If he shows up, walk away. Scream ‘fire’ if he comes close—people respond to that. He’ll have no other choice but to keep his hands off you. Document everything, and I do mean everything. Let Nico know about things like your tires. And most importantly, if you see Bryson, call the police right away
. They already have a warrant for his arrest. Don’t engage.”
Audrey’s mind spun trying to take in and remember everything Logan said. “How come you didn’t tell me all this when I first told you about him?”
He rubbed her arm. “Honestly, I thought the warrant would be enough to scare him straight. Most cases like that people are upset over a broken relationship. They carry it too far, then realize their mistake and stop. True stalkers are the rarer case—at least in my experience—and they’re dangerous because they think they’re above the law.”
Dread seeped through her.
That sounded just like Bryson.
Eighteen
Logan held onto the leash while opening the passenger door for Audrey. Charlie leaped around like a hundred-pound jumping bean.
She stepped out of the car. “Let me grab the blankets from the back.”
“Don’t worry about them. You’ll either need a ride to your car or the obedience lessons.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. I’m just glad my schedule’s clear so I can help at a moment’s notice.” He locked the car, put his arm around Audrey, and walked her and Charlie to the door.
Though he didn’t know what Bryson looked like, he kept an eye out for him nonetheless. Nobody outside or in looked suspicious. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t watching.
Once inside the apartment, Logan looked around. Nothing appeared out of place. He again went over everything he’d told her in the car about staying safe. The more she heard it, the more likely she’d remember it in the heat of the moment.
“I know it’s a lot of information, but can you remember all that?”
She sat on the futon and took a deep breath. “I think so. Basically, write everything down and call the cops if I see him.”
Logan nodded. “And don’t engage. I can’t emphasize that enough. He’ll take any attention as good news, even if you’re telling him to shove it.”
“Okay.”
“Do you want pepper spray? Nico has access to the really good stuff.”
“You don’t think Charlie will be enough?”
“He might catch you off guard when you don’t have Charlie with you.”
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