Relief flooded her body. She was safe.
“Maizie!” Christian’s voice echoed through the small room.
“Sorry.” She took three deep breaths to calm her racing heart. “There was this guy at the pool who was trying to hit on me, so I called you pretending you were my boyfriend.” The words came out in a rush.
“What? Did you get away from him? Are you okay?” He sounded panicked.
“Yes, I’m back in the room.”
“You scared me to death,” he said, so soft she almost missed it.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do.” She fell against the bed, trying to warm up in the covers but only managing to soak her bed.
“No, don’t be sorry. I’m glad you called me. Are you okay?” His voice was calmer now.
Maizie steadied her own breath and fought off the tears that threatened at the corners of her eyes.
“I am now.” She could hear him breathing, but he remained silent for so long a tear escaped and she sniffed.
“Are you crying?”
“No,” she lied.
“You’re safe,” he said again, and her eyes burned.
“Sorry,” she said, laughing dryly, “it wasn’t a big deal, I just need to calm down.” She took a deep breath and laughed. “I told him you were a cop.”
“I knew it. You were totally checking me out in that uniform.”
“Was not.” She protested.Lies. All lies.
Christian was silent again. “Hey, remember that one time I gave you a black eye?”
“How could I forget? You’re kind of a scary driver.” Maizie put the phone on speaker and found the said picture. She looked horrible, but he was perfect.
“Not as scary as you are with a newspaper.” Maizie could hear the smile in his voice.
“I said I was sorry,” Maizie said. The silence returned between them again.
“And I didn’t even have to throw you off a tractor to get that apology.”
“Thanks, Christian.”
“Anytime, babe.”
Maizie nearly dropped the phone.
“Don’t call me that.” Maizie tried to joke, but her voice lacked all conviction. She liked it way too much.
“I guess I’ll just have to keep calling you princess, then,” Christian said. “Be safe.”
Thirty-One
Maizie was more than ready to be home. After the incident at the pool the day before, she had been anxious for the remainder of the trip, constantly looking over her shoulder to make sure that guy hadn’t found her again.
She had been transported to another world while they had watched the incredible dancing, in a theater that was stunning, but the second it was over, the crowds around her made her jittery. She was usually more calm and confident in situations like those, but now she just felt the longing to be home in her safe, quaint town.
Christian had texted her at least every hour to see how she was doing, and despite herself, she had enjoyed the constant communication with him.
