Page 107 of Hunt Me

He nods, then looks down at the kitten. “I don’t have any reservations today. Discourage walk-ins unless it’s someone you know.”

That seems fair. I don’t feel very nervous, but there’s a tiny bit of fear leftover from the last time I was alone. But I’m not going to play the panic game with myself. I’ve been through enough, and like he said, Percy’s already on his way.

Milo takes a soft cat carrier out of the supply closet and wraps the kitten in a small blanket, then tucks the straps into the crook of his elbow. He gives me one more pointed lookbefore heading out the front door, and it’s not long before I see his truck pulling out of the parking lot and onto the main road.

And then, I’m alone.

My nerves begin to spark, but they’re mostly overrun by how much I miss Archie and how I ache to see him. I pull out my phone and take a selfie since the lighting makes my cheekbones look amazing, and then I send it.

Me: At the café, thinking of you.

Archie: Be home soon, little rabbit.

Those five words mean so much more than that. They mean he misses me too. That he’s thinking of me. That he’s fantasizing about what we’ll do when he gets home.

But I want just a little more.

Me: I love you.

A full minute goes by, and I think maybe it’s too much, but then three dots appear, disappear, then reappear again.

But it’s not a written message. It’s a photo of him—the first selfie he might have ever taken in his life. It’s just his mouth and nose, and then his hand under his chin making the three-fingered sign that I ached to see.

Archie: I love you too.

I startle when lights flash, and it’s in that moment that I realize one of the brothers installed a flashing alarm. It must be for me since none of them need it, and I try to shove down how fucking touched I am as I fight off nerves.

I’m in the café, and it takes me a moment to find the courage to peer around the corner into the lobby, my heart going from my throat back to my chest when I recognize a familiar dark head of hair and black-framed glasses.

Rome catches the movement and meets my gaze, his eyes softening, though he looks confused. ‘You’re working here?’

‘Helping,’ I explain, then regret it. He’s going to have a million fucking questions, and I’ve been avoiding my Deaf friends for that reason alone.

His head tilts to the side as he watches me approach the register, and his eyes linger on the side of my jaw where the very last of my bruises are fading into my skin.

‘Mellie told me you were hurt.’

‘I’m fine now. You want drink?’

He arches an eyebrow at me and stares intently. I can tell he’s not going to let that go so easily. ‘Sure. Latte. But tell me what happened.’

I flip him off, but he continues to glower, so after I finish his latte, I lean on the counter. ‘Remember my stalker?’

His eyes go wide. ‘Yes.’

I take a deep breath, then carefully recount all the events leading up to now while surgically removing Archie and his family from involvement. At least as much as I can. I don’t mind calling Archie my boyfriend. Everyone around here thinks the brothers are a little odd, so I don’t need to explain that.

But Rome listens intently, his eyes following every sign, and when I’m done, he looks almost furious. ‘I had no idea this was still going on.’

‘I didn’t want to put anyone else in danger.’

Rome’s jaw ticks. ‘The police are handling it this time?’

And now comes the part where I have to either lie or expose Archie’s family, and the choice is obvious. ‘We have someone on the case. Don’t worry.’

Rome is clearly going to worry. ‘Maybe I should stay here until someone shows up to help you.’

I wave him off. ‘No, no. Percy will be here soon, and Dex is waiting for you. Wait, why are you here again?’ I can’t remember if I ever even asked.