He added, “Not there.”
“You already did,” I said before I could stop myself.
It sounded as much a confession as warning.
“Where?” Colt asked.
The word echoed through the air around us. I looked around, checking to be sure Travis hadn’t returned.
He hadn’t.
“Wrist,” I said, nodding at it.
Colt turned my wrist and set his thumb over my pulse. Just enough pressure to feel it.
One measured intake, followed by another. He let go at exactly the second I exhaled. As if he’d been waiting for the release.
And only that.
Colt kept his eyes locked on mine before looking down at my mouth.
“Don’t follow Travis home,” I said, more plea than statement.
Colt didn’t lie. “Go home,” he said, “and lock your door.”
“The back latch is always broken,” I answered, evidently advertising my house’s flaws. “I’m fixing it tomorrow, but I couldn’t find the right screws at the hardware?—”
Colt interrupted me. “I’ll repair it for you tomorrow.”
The thought of Colt anywhere near my home sent a shiver down my spine.
Although I wasn’t sure if it was the first time.
“I put up a doorbell camera today,” I added.
I hoped the admission would make me sound capable. Colt’s gaze went to the street before returning to me.
“Good,” he said, “let it watch.”
I took a quick breath. “You don’t cross my threshold,” I said, “unless I invite you.”
I desperately hoped he hadn’t heard the slight shake in my voice.
“I hear you,” he said, and lifted his open hands again. “I’m walking you home. But I’ll stay where you can see me, and if he shows up, I’ll keep my hands like this.”
I paused before answering and he filled the void.
“If he doesn’t show up,” Colt added, “I’ll see you to your door anyway.”
I looked down at the wet ground and back up at Colt. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I will,” he said, as if it were settled.
Water trickled off the stones around us in thin lines. I took another deep breath and steadied myself on the stone before I slowly stepped toward the iron gates. Somewhere behind me, Colt’s pace almost matched mine.
Steady. Quiet. Close enough I could count his steps.
The path wound and dipped as I tried not to read names on the graves we passed.
