Page 126 of Show Me

“Who has access?” Bella asks. “Who knows your schedule?”

I lift a shoulder because thinking is too difficult at this point. I’m not drinking, but that doesn’t stop my brain from being fuzzy. “Half the town.”

Emily taps the pen against the napkin once. "Okay. Cross off everyone who could. Keep everyone who would."

Bella frowns. "That's not exactly a short list."

"It's shorter than half the town."

I trace the rim of my glass with my finger, watching the condensation bead and slide. “Brent drove down my street for no reason.”

“And Greg?” Bella asks.

“He’s mad I quit.” I suck on the straw, taking in some of the soda and swallowing.

Emily taps her fingertips on the tabletop. “Mad enough to follow you?”

“I don’t know.” That’s the worst part. I don’t know.

None of this is new ground, but I understand why they want me to go through everything again. They’re my best friends, and my safety is valuable to them. If we can come up with something that stops this, they’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen. Even listening to me go through the same events for the twentieth time.

An hour later, the door opens. Cold air cuts through the bar, sharp enough to make a few people glance over. I don’t. Not right away. Then I do.

Lindsey steps inside, shaking out her hair, scanning the room like she owns the space. Her gaze moves across the tables. Slows. Finds me. Recognition flickers. Sharp, assessing. Then it’s gone.

She turns away, heading toward the bar like I was never worth stopping for. My chest squeezes anyway.

Bella frowns. “I don’t like her.”

“You don’t know her.” Emily crosses her arms over her chest and sinks into the black cushion behind her.

“I know enough to know I don’t like her.” Bella’s lip curls at the corner. “She’s the kind of woman who thinks people the world over should fall at their feet.”

“She is beautiful.” I swipe my damp palms on my jeans.

“No more beautiful than you are.” Bella takes a sip from her straw and gives me a pointed look. “Dominic said Xavier told them you’re just friends.”

My fingers tighten around the glass. Condensation slicks against my skin. I don’t look up.

“Has anything changed?” Emily’s concern grates on my nerves.

“No, nothing has changed.” I let out a breath that almost passes for a laugh. “That’s all anyone can be with him.”

Bella watches me. “Ruby…”

“He doesn’t do relationships,” I continue, keeping my voice even. “He’s helping because someone’s messing with my life. That’s it.”

Because that’s easier. Easier than admitting I listen for his truck at night. Easier than admitting I check the stare at the lump on my sofa when I double-check the locks at night. Easier than admitting I’m forgetting to eat more times than not.

Or that I don’t remember the last time I got a full night’s sleep without waking up, imagining that he was in the bed with me.

Emily leans forward. “And you’re okay with that?”

I nod. Lie.

The conversation moves on after that. Bella starts talking about something Dominic did at the shop. Emily laughs. Someone delivers another round of drinks.

I try to pay attention. I really do. But every time the door opens, my eyes lift. Every time a truck passes outside, my stomach tightens before common sense catches up.