Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry, moonbeam, but that’s a lie.”
I reared back, breaking our handhold. “What? How could you—?”
“I’m your best friend.” She smirked kindly. “I’m around at your place all the time. I’ve been popping over well before Milton ever moved in. Do you honestly think I haven’t caught you checking out your neighbour?”
“What? No, I—”
“You might not be aware of it, but whenever Zander appeared in his living room or kitchen, every part of you knew. You’re like a damn antenna picking up his whereabouts.” Her smirk turned into a laugh. “Do you remember the night we were playing Monopoly and you—for the first time ever, I might add—had all the hotels, and I landed on your squares and had to pay an exorbitant amount of money?”
I scowled, going back over our fun game nights that’d become a bit of a tradition. We’d taken up playing Monopoly as an ode to my grandparents but also because Lily said it would help her get in touch with her developer side. We’d kept playing it because it was fun to bicker and taunt, all while eating snacks and sugar.
But try as I might, I couldn’t remember that night. Usually, I lost. I would remember wiping out her bank balance. “I’m guessing you cheated because I don’t remember you losing any game.”
“And there you have it. I rest my case.”
I frowned. “I don’t follow.”
“You didn’t remember to charge me because you were too damn busy perving at Zander as he paced through his house on his phone. He was wearing a pair of track pants that hung real low and no shirt. Even I did a second-glance. But you?” She fanned herself. “You practically crawled to the window to watch.”
“What?” My cheeks caught fire. “I wouldn’t. I didn’t—”
“You did, and it’s okay. You’ve wanted him for years. Even if you couldn’t admit it.”
My stomach clenched.
I have a crush on you.
This stupid crush is getting out of control.
I like you…
X and Zander’s voice braided into one in my head. A gush of goosebumps shot down my back.
In a split second, everything ceased to matter.
The lying. The sneaking. The stalking.
Nothing mattered.
Because he was him.
I stood so fast, my chair fell backward.
Lily just smirked and waved a hand like a princess shooing me away. “Let me guess, you have something you need to do?”
Rushing around the table, I kissed her on the cheek. “I love you, Lily McBride.”
“Yeah, yeah. Go get that Dr Stalker of yours.”
I flew out of the café.
Oh, Zander, Zander, Zander…whatever am I going to do with you?
I had a new plan.
One where I’d enjoy the tiniest bit of revenge. Zander would get a serious wake-up call. And every obstacle keeping us apart would shatter.
Dashing to my car, I threw myself inside, locked my doors because…safety…and then called the hospital.
I jittered and shivered, willing the line to connect.
My voice cracked as I asked to be put through to Dr Colin Marx.
And when it connected, I blurted a question, “Did you or did you not give Zander North black hair dye and brown eye contacts so he could become incognito to stalk me?”
Colin coughed. “Uh…well, shit. I’m guessing this is Sailor Rose?”
“It is. Are you going to answer me?”
“Guilty as charged.” He sighed. “Are you gathering information to file a report on him? Because I have to warn you, he did it out of love. He loves you, Sailor. He always has and—”
“Does the dye wash out easily?”
He sighed again. “It’s completely water based. Doesn’t even need soap.”
“Perfect.”
“Look, Sailor. I know you have every right to be pissed, but please—”
“Don’t tell him I called you. You have my word I’m not going to hurt him. I heard you both. A week ago, when he was drunk and you came round.”
“Ah, crap…you did?” His voice turned into a whisper. “So you’ll know how much he’s suffering over this? He hates that he lied to you. That he lost you. He’s even asked for a transfer. He thinks it’s for the best and—”
“He’s not going anywhere.” I clutched my steering wheel. “I’m going to enjoy a tiny bit of payback, then I’m going to ensure he has someone to take care of him for the rest of his life.”
He exhaled in a rush. “You mean it? Ugh, that’s the best news I’ve—wait.” His tone turned suspicious. “What do you mean? Payback?”
“You’ll see.”
I hung up and drove with a mad smile all the way home.
* 52 *
Zander
Be Careful What You Wish For
LORI: COME ROUND TONIGHT. That isn’t a request.
I stared at that message all day.
It’d come through while I was at work, and it’d taken every shred of professionalism I had to ignore it while dealing with patients and surgery. To pretend my gut didn’t knot into barbwire or my heart didn’t palpitate every time I thought of going to see her.