62. Chapter Sixty-Two

Chapter Sixty-Two

Beth

D espite the unexpected visit from my ex, my late afternoon planning session went well, and I actually convinced Catherine to order dinner from a local Mexican restaurant. She picked a salad, but it looked way more appetising than the stuff she usually has, so I didn't bug her to eat more, I just accidentally dropped a few tortilla chips onto her plate, which she ate absently due to being hideously hungover.

A few hours lounging around watching TV after that and I was beyond ready to crawl into bed.

I'll admit, I thought about peeking through the drapes, but considering I'd have to tell my sister what happened if I seriously wanted to call the cops, I hesitated.

Ultimately, I decided it was better not to know.

It would be different if I thought he'd try to smash the window, or break the lock to get inside, but it's not like he was trying to get my attention out there.

He was basically lurking. Creepy, but not exactly dangerous.

I get up after ten a.m., and I don't bother to open the drapes.

It still feels better not to know.

Maybe that's just because I don't want to think about him.

He's a relic from my past. He's not supposed to be here.

So, I push him out of my thoughts, and I get ready for my first day as a business consultant.

My wrists look much better after yesterday.

The one I was scratching is still a little red in places but other than that it doesn't look too bad.

Those rope burns weren't super deep. I knew they were going to heal and then it would be like nothing ever happened. I just didn't expect them to look better overnight.

It makes me feel a bit brighter.

I get dressed listening to music from my phone, humming along and getting the words completely wrong the handful of times that I sing a line.

A message makes my phone vibrate and I check it to see a text from Gio.

Jack's going to be escort today, apparently.

Gio has a few errands he needs to run.

But he promises to talk to me about arranging a date later.

That makes me smile. I send him a message back to let him know I'm almost ready so Jack can head over whenever he's ready.

He texts me back to let me know Jack's on his way.

I put my phone in my purse and sling it over my shoulder.

Taking the keys out of the pocket, I keep them in my hand as I walk over to the window.

Rourke left yesterday afternoon, not that far off twenty-four-hours ago.

There's no way in hell he's out there now.

I grasp the drapes, ready to open them.

Anxious questions fill up my head as I try to make myself do it.

"He won't be out there. He can't be," I murmur, only managing to finally do it when I realize Catherine could open them if she gets home before me tonight, and I really wouldn't want her to find a strange man on her fire escape, especially one who's claiming he still wants me as his mate.

I shudder and tug the material, parting it and pulling it away from the centre of the window.

A glimpse outside reveals the fire escape is empty, and the ladder is still up, too far to just pull down and climb up. I let out a relieved sigh and walk away.

My phone vibrates inside my purse.

I know it'll be Gio, or Jack, so I put on my favorite sneakers and leave the apartment.

I start my new job today, and I'm not going to let anyone, or anything ruin it.