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)
Me: I just saw my neighbour. It gave me flashbacks.
His reply wasn’t as fast, but it came eventually.
X: Want me to find him? I can deliver every bruise you’re wearing because of him.
Me: No! Goodness, of course not! It’s not his fault that Milton was a jealous asshole. My neighbour is actually very…
I stopped typing.
I didn’t know how to describe Alexander.
A trickster when he was a kid. Obsessed with anything injured as a teen. Quiet, reserved, and slightly standoffish as an adult, all with a boyish habit of fiddling with his glasses as if he’d never gotten used to wearing them even though he’d had a pair since he was twelve.
Why on earth do I remember how old he was when he got glasses?
I knew why.
Because Nana had baked him a cake with a big pair of spectacles on it with the words ‘Congratulations, you’re a distinguished gentleman’. I’d overheard her talking to Pops how Alexander had been bullied at school for having four eyes, and she’d wanted to lift his spirits.
Me: …he’s a good person. It’s not his fault. He’d take it so personally if he knew.
X: I’m sure he’d do whatever it took to wipe away those memories associated with him if he could.
Standing, I smoothed down my pinafore and made my way to Lily.
Me: I have to go. I’m slacking while my friend works so hard. Talk to you later.
I threw myself into helping customers so I didn’t give in to the urge to look for Alexander in the crowd, hoping like hell the feeling of helplessness and panic would vanish.
* 20 *
Zander
Claws Come in All Shapes and Sizes
“THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT,” I GRUMBLED as Colin inspected his newly purchased chopping board. “I should never have agreed to come here with you. My plan was to covertly watch from a distance. Not shop where she could see me.”
“Are you saying I took advantage of your sleep-deprived state at the hospital this morning and coerced you into doing something against your will?” He smirked. “Do you wish to make a formal complaint? Perhaps tell the girl you’re crushing on that—”
“Quiet.” I narrowed my eyes. “You said you’d hold your tongue.”
If it hadn’t been for my security cameras alerting me to Sailor packing her car like she did most weekends for the market, I wouldn’t have known she was here. I’d logged in on a coffee break at five a.m., my cameras sending me a motion alert. I’d watched for a while, my chest swelling with pride at how brave she was. She’d also made my heart clench a few times as she sat on her doorstep and hugged her knees, swiping away tears and fighting back her panic.
I’d made a stupid comment to Col that I was going to watch her at the market after work, and he’d invited himself along.
“Did I? I don’t remember saying that.” He chuckled. “You’re unfairly accusing me. I have every right to defend myself. What do you think, Christina? Did I do the friendly thing by dragging your older brother out of the hospital after a fifteen-hour stint to ensure he sees the sun and buys some homemade goodies, or did I overstep my boundaries?”
Christina—my sister who’d had a bad breakup and hated the fact that she’d recently turned twenty-eight—laughed under her breath. “Don’t ask me. I’m not getting on Zan’s bad side.”
“But you’re happy for me to take all the blame. Harsh.”
Christina stared at him for a second too long. She tucked her long hair behind her ear.
“She’s not interested, you fool,” I muttered. “I’ve told you this.”
Colin pouted. “Really?” He fluttered his eyelashes at my sister. “You sure I can’t tempt you back into the dating pool? I promise I don’t bite.”
“How do you know that I don’t?” Christina crossed her arms.
Colin laughed out loud.
I didn’t appreciate them flirting right in front of me. “Stop that. Both of you.”
Colin fired back, “Only if you stop giving yourself blue balls by texting this woman.”
“I said quiet,” I hissed, looking over my shoulder, just in case someone—Sailor—heard.
“Say what?” Christina frowned. “You’re seeing someone, Zan? I thought you’d chosen the monk lifestyle.”
“He’s definitely watching someone. Aren’t you, Zander?” Colin winked. “He’s very, very good at watching.”
My fingers curled into a fist.
Would I be arrested if I punched my best friend’s face in the middle of a busy market?
Christina looked back and forth between us. “I don’t get it.” Rolling her eyes, she shrugged. “And I don’t wanna know. I’m off browsing. See ya.”
“Call me!” Colin yelled after her. His gaze tracked her as she weaved around other people. It was his fault she’d joined us in the first place. He’d spotted her as we’d headed into the market and practically begged her to tag along.
“And you say I need to get laid,” I huffed. “As your friend, I understand your interest in Christina. She’s smart, funny, and sensible. But as her brother, I’m warning you…she isn’t one-night stand material.”