“Good. Because I have news.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. I think I’m ready for lunch now. My brain is officially able to function again. We could even go out.”
Only Hayley.I grin, grabbing her under the arms and lifting her from the counter.
Positioning her in front of me, I guide her toward the bathroom, tapping her bare ass when she reaches the door. “Let’s get you cleaned up, then we’ll eat.”
Hayley spins my way as her eyes light up. “Eat wh—”
“Don’t,” I groan, cutting her off. “I know you taste delicious.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Reed
Aflash goes off as Hayley shovels food into her mouth and she groans grumpily. “Why do they always take photos while I’m doing some weird pose, and you look perfect. Every article I see of us makes me cringe.”
I lean in close and grab her hands until she glances up at me. “Want me to destroy the camera? Because you know I will. For you.”
A beaming smile lights up her face as another flash goes off, and I have no doubt it’ll be a better shot this time.
“That was sweet.” She squeezes my hand.
“Well, you do keep telling me I’m a sweet guy.”
“You are.” She nods, scrunching her nose sympathetically. “There’s no escaping it. But now I know there’s more to you than meets the eyes.”
“Got to keep some parts hidden.” I wink and she giggles until she stops abruptly and frowns.
“What happened?” I spin around to see what she’s looking at but I’m met with an empty street through the window.
“Nothing. I’m probably being silly.”
“It’s not nothing. You're pale.”
Hayley raises an eyebrow and I reluctantly smile. “More pale than usual.” Since it’s winter here, Hayley’s lost part of her tan and she’s constantly complaining about it, despite still being beautiful.
“I saw a guy in a red jacket out the front just now. And when I looked up, he ran.”
“What was he doing?”
“Nothing. But I saw him outside my apartment yesterday.Andlast Friday. I assumed he must live there, but now he’shere.”
My body tenses though I hide it, needing to keep Hayley calm. “Do you recognize him?”
“That’s the thing; I’ve never seen his face. He always has a scarf pulled up to cover his mouth and his hood pulled low.”
I clench my fists beneath the table while my expression remains stoic. “Do you think we should go to the police?” I ask quietly, my eyes locked on her face to catch her reaction.
She’s still staring outside, but when I mention the police, her gaze shifts to mine. “No. I don’t have to bother them with this. He’s just an overexcited fan.”
“He’s what?”Fuck. A fan? I was thinking of an ex that wanted her back, or the paparazzi. My mind didnotgo to a stalker. “You think it’s the same guy that sent you the flowers?”
“What?” She shakes her head. “No.No.”
“Hayley?”
