Page 18 of Targeted at Christmas

When she drove a few more blocks, Lexi ventured another peek in the mirror, almost expecting the dark SUV to have returned and resumed its trailing of her. But it wasn’t there, thankfully.

It had to have only been coincidental that one or more dark SUVs just happened to have followed her from one location or another—if she could even say that. After all, they had just as much right to be on the roads at those times and places as she did.

I’ll try not to jump the gun the next time I see a dark SUV come up behind me, Lexi promised herself. She snapped out of her reverie when her cell phone rang. It sat in the mounted holder. The caller was Cooper.

A smile spread across her face as Lexi put the call on speaker. “Hey,” she said cheerfully.

“Hey,” he said, and paused. “Was just wondering if you’d like to catch a movie tonight? Knowing that you’re into romantic comedies, there’s a new one out.”

How thoughtful of you, Lexi mused, grinning. “Yes, I’d love to go see a movie with you,” she told him, barely able to hide her enthusiasm.

“Cool.” Cooper waited a beat. “So, do I pick you up or…?”

“Yes, that’s fine,” she responded without prelude, feeling comfortable for him to do so. “I’m in my car right now… I’ll text you my address when I get home.”

“Okay.” He paused. “Catch you later.”

Lexi disconnected with a smile still on her face. She did love romantic comedies. However, she hadn’t actually gone to see one at the theater since her husband died. It wasn’t a conscious choice. She simply hadn’t been motivated to take in a movie by herself. Now she didn’t have to.

Almost on impulse, Lexi glanced at the rearview mirror again, as though anticipating that SUV to have sneaked up on her when she let her guard down. Once more, there was no sign of it. False alarm, thankfully.

She sucked in a deep breath and, while continuing to head home, returned to pleasant thoughts surrounding going to see a movie during the holiday season with Cooper Reid.

THE SUV’S SOLE OCCUPANT had dropped back once he sensed that the architect was onto him. Or at least suspected that she was being followed by the multiple times she seemed to peer into the rearview mirror. The last thing his employer would have wanted was for him to fail at the simple job of trailing Lexi De La Garza with her being none the wiser.

But he had slipped up in maybe getting a little too close. Or falling into the trap of following her even when she made obvious attempts to elude him and what her paranoia saw as a threat. Though he admittedly took the bait almost as a challenge, his better instincts let her believe she was mistaken in being followed.

That way, she would once again let down her guard and not be so cognizant of one vehicle or another as she drove here or there.

Since he knew just where to find her—and when—there was no hurry to catch up to the nice-looking architect. When the time was right, he would be back on her trail and she would be completely unaware of it.

And when and if word came down that she needed to be disposed of, he was up to that task as well.

Or maybe he would take his own initiative where it concerned Lexi De La Garza, with or without his partner along for the ride, and get a piece of her for himself.

Chapter Seven

Cooper had to admit that it felt pretty damned good to watch a movie with Lexi. He wouldn’t go so far as to say they were a couple, much less dating, but sharing popcorn on a date in a darkened theater was a good step in the right direction.

It was also cozy, which Cooper thought was a positive sign. He hadn’t been to see a movie in more than a year. Even longer since he’d watched a rom-com. But it somehow seemed right. Though Melanie had also loved romantic comedies, she was no longer here and the time had come to seek out a new relationship with someone who might be just as rewarding to spend time with.

Cooper gazed at Lexi, who seemed tuned in to the movie and had a beautiful profile. As though her periphery caught him red-handed, she glanced his way, offering a soft smile. He gave the same in return and went back to watching the movie. Never mind that he found himself preferring to look at her instead.

When the film ended and the credits began rolling on the large screen, Cooper grinned at Lexi and said sincerely, “That was great.”

“Yeah,” she agreed, grinning back. “I loved it.”

“Hope we can do this again?”

“I’d like that.”

Cooper was already looking forward to seeing the next movie with her—perhaps a suspense thriller—as they filed out of the theater.

He drove her home in mostly silence, as they passed by Christmas lights and other celebrations of the holiday season.

When he pulled up to Lexi’s residence, Cooper wasn’t sure if she would invite him in for a nightcap or not. What he did know was that he wanted to kiss her while he had the chance, assuming she gave her permission.

“May I…?” he asked, after walking Lexi up to the front door of her good-sized home and peering at her mouth.