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Jared
The movie was good, but Nia was quiet on the walk to the theater and while we were inside. I know there’s not much opportunity to chat while watching a movie, but she was quieter than usual in a way I don’t understand. Did I do something wrong? Say the wrong thing? Is she having second thoughts about this?
My mind is a whirl of motion that I can’t control and my panic is starting to get the better of me.
As we head out of the theater back toward the car, I finally find the courage to voice my concerns.
“Is everything okay?” I ask her, not sure I want to hear the answer if it’s not.
“What? Yes, everything’s fine.”
I arch a brow at her. “You’ve been a little out of sorts all night. Did I do something?”
This is a possibility. I’m not always the easiest guy, I know this, but her quietness has me on edge.
“Oh, Jared, no. You didn’t do anything at all. I’m just… I’m sorry. My mind has been elsewhere tonight.”
“Is it something I can help with?”
She frowns then sighs. “I had a weird customer before I locked up. I guess I’m just a little on edge because the guy did nothing wrong, but I can’t shake him out of my mind.”
Instantly, I go on alert. She was broken into, it wasn’t Thomas, and some guy is giving her the creeps? It might be nothing, but it might be something. Either way, my spider-senses are tingling.
“What guy? What did he say?”
The look she gives me has me reining back my sharpness.
“Sorry,” I tell her. “It’s just it could be important. Tell me everything.”
“There’s not much to tell. I’m probably just overreacting.”
“Maybe, but I’ve learned over the years to trust my gut. That kept me alive in the Army and it’s kept me safe and breathing since I became a civilian again. If something tingled for you, it’s worth investigating—especially considering the situation you’re in.”
Her frown deepens and I hate that it does. I would take all her fear, all her pain from her if I could.
“He came in to look for decorations. I don’t know,” she waves a hand. “It was probably something of nothing, but he did creep me out a little. He’s probably a really nice guy.”
Or he’s someone to worry about…
I keep this to myself. I don’t want to scare her. “Stay at mine tonight.”
“I have the security system, Jared. I’ll be okay at home.”
“Then I’ll stay with you.”
“What about Coop?”
Fuck. I tear a hand through my hair. “I don’t want you alone while this shit is going on, Nia.”
“You said the security system was the best on the market, right?”
I nod and she runs a hand up my arm. “So, I’ll be fine.”
I want to agree with her, but I have a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach—not a pleasant one either. “Nia—”
“Stop worrying. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
I want to push it, but I sense she’s just going to keep pushing back, so I drop it—for now. I would prefer her with me, so I can keep an eye on things, but I can’t force her back to my place.
