Page 11 of Always Right Here

“I do run a business,” I confirmed as I sat back and took in her cute, tousled hair. “That means I’m the boss and can do what I want. And what I want is to be your guard until you’re safe again.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, letting her head drop as it shook side to side with a sigh.

“Okay. How does this work?”

“Well, the faster we eliminate the threat, the better. We will do 24-hour guard and surveillance. I’ll have my second best switch out for 8-hour shifts while I get some rest, but other than that, you’ll bestuck with me.”

“You both can stay here with us until it’s safe,” Sadie suggested.

“That’s a nice offer, but it would be best not to change her routine. If there is someone watching her, a sudden switch can trigger a dangerous reaction and we don’t need to bring that here. Plus, if they are following a routine, it’ll be easier to pin it and catch them in the act.”

“So, I’m guessing no housewarming party?” Riah asked, sarcasm lacing her voice.

“Hmm, you said you didn’t notice anything weird or anyone watching you before you moved back, right?” I asked.

“Right.”

“I’m guessing they probably think you live alone. Maybe they even have mistaken you for someone who lived there previously. The housewarming would be a good way to showthem, if they’re watching, that you have people around you. That you aren’t alone.”

“I don’t want to put anyone in danger.”

“It’s unlikely they’d act with so many people around. But if they do, I’ll be right there. I won’t let anyone get hurt, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Now,” I pushed to my feet. “I’m going to run home real quick and when I get back, we’re going to go fix that window.”

Chapter 11

Riah

I always hated going to hardware stores with my dad. Endless rows of random supplies, tools and dusty men. It didn’t help that he either knew or could get to know almost anyone he crossed paths with. He would stop and have conversations with the workers about things I couldn’t care less about. After so many hours of complaining, he learned to drop me off in the garden section and come find me when he was done.

But Korie wasted no time. I didn’t even have a moment to be overwhelmed; I was too busyswooning as she guided me through the store with her hand on the small of my back. The way she confidently floated through the aisles with me close by her side, like she was proud to be with me, doused me with a dangerous dose of hope.

She is just doing this to be nice. Because your parents took care of her. Because you’re her best friend's little sister. Nothing else.

“Anything I can help you ladies with?” An older man in a bright yellow apron uniform planted himself next to us.

I had already been drifting off as Korie browsed the aisle, but the man’s deep, slightly belittling voice snapped me back to attention. Even if I didn’t know what I was doing or what I was looking for, I hated being talked to like I was an idiot. But before I could snap back, Korie gripped my side tighter. Her thumb rubbed soothing circles over my hip bone and theirritation was quickly replaced by the threat of my knees buckling under me.

She met his sly attitude, listing off confidently what she was looking for and asked politely but firmly if he could point her in the correct direction. His eyebrows nearly disappeared over his forehead as she spoke, obviously impressed. I rolled my eyes with a huff as he waved for her to follow him. But before she followed, she gave my hip a tender squeeze and leaned over in my ear.

“Why don’t you go look at the plants? I saw you eyeing them earlier. I’ll handle this, okay? I’ll come find you when we are ready to go.”

My heart dropped, a wave of longing washing over me as she let go of my waist. I nodded and with a wink, Korie turned and followed the employee around the corner. Even though my skin burned and ached where her hand rested, begging to be touched by her again,I was still thankful to be relieved from the broken window task. Shaking off the inconvenient feelings, I headed for something safer to obsess over…houseplants.

I browsed the garden section, taking my time to inspect the different kinds of plants and imagine where I’d placed them in my home. As I walked through the flowers, I mentally mapped out exactly where I’d plant them out front and how long it would take me, specifically to see if I could swing it before the housewarming party. Deciding it was impossible, I made my way back to the indoor plants.

I immediately snatched up a huge, healthy Monstera, excited to fill all of my empty jars with propagations. With that thought, I had to grab a couple of pothos to hang from the ceiling and drape over the stairs. Then I spotted a few gorgeous snake plants for the entryway. Already struggling with what I had balanced in my arms,a perfect fiddleleaf caught my eye, begging to be mine.

As I stepped towards it, an intense prickling at the back of my neck stopped me in my tracks. Chills ran down my spine. The burn of eyes on my back made me feel like a target in focus.

Someone was definitely watching me.

I whipped my head around, my feet staying solidly in place. All around me, shoppers filled their carts with soil and plants, none looking my way. I studied each face as they passed, trying to pick out anything familiar. Anything suspicious. Anything that could pin them as my stalker.

But everyone was utterly normal and wholly uninterested in me. I was just being paranoid. Korie was here with me…somewhere. I took a few deep breaths and gazed around one last time, finding nothing out of the ordinary.