I have a stalker.
The words sat on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t get them out.
I’d been keeping my secret for so long, the idea of sharing it with my friends made my heart kick like a trapped animal against its cage.
Christian and Jules knew the truth, but only out of necessity—Christian because he found me the night I discovered the note, Jules because we’d lived together when the stalker made his first appearance. And she didn’t know the stalker was back.
“I, um…” Just say it. I stood and paced the room, too restless to sit. “I moved in because I…I have a stalker. And he broke into my apartment yesterday.”
The words finally spilled out and landed on the floor with a heavy thud. The force of it reverberated through my bones, but the ensuing silence was so thick I could taste it over the line.
“What?” Ava breathed. Softer this time, and dizzy with shock.
I stopped next to the potted fern. The earthy smells of soil and greenery worked their way into my lungs, grounding me and giving me the fortitude to explain the situation. I started with the notes from two years ago and ended with my discovery yesterday.
The more I talked, the easier it was, though a whisper of unease lingered in my stomach. I hated worrying my friends.
“So that’s why I moved in with Christian,” I finished. “It’s the safest thing to do while the stalker is still on the loose.”
I rubbed an absentminded thumb over my necklace—amethyst, for calming energies and stress relief. I’d hunted it down immediately after the movers brought my stuff up.
I needed all the stress relief I could get.
“Yes, but…” Ava blew out a sigh. “I’m sorry. I still can’t get over the part where this started three years ago, and you didn’t tell me. This isn’t a secret boyfriend or…or a side gig moonlighting as a dancer, Stella. You’re my best friend, and your life was in danger.” She didn’t sound angry; she sounded hurt, which was even worse. “I would’ve helped you.”
“There was nothing you could’ve done. If anything had happened to you because of me, I never would’ve forgiven myself.”
Another long pause. “Do Jules and Bridget know?”
My teeth sank into my bottom lip. “Jules knows about the first batch of letters since we were living together at the time. Bridget has no clue. The notes stopped coming after a few months,” I added. “So it wasn’t an issue for too long.”
Until they restarted.
“God,” Ava breathed. “This is bananas.”
“Not more bananas than getting kidnapped by your boyfriend’s psycho uncle, right?” I hid my nerves with a shaky laugh.
Despite her sunny demeanor, Ava had lived through more traumatic events than I have.
“Right. They could make soap operas out of our lives,” she said dryly. “Listen, just stay with me until you catch this guy. Alex won’t mind, and he’ll sort things out. Actually, let me get him.” She raised her voice. “Alex, can you come over here? I have—”
“No! Don’t tell him.” Involving Alex in something like this was a bad idea. He was as liable to murder someone as he was to help them. “I’ve got this under control. Besides, Christian is the security expert, and you have enough on your plate with the wedding.”
“Screw the wedding—crap. Hold on.” Ava must’ve covered the speaker because her words became muffled. “No, honey, of course I still want to get married! I was talking to Stella about the, um, wedding planner…no, don’t fire her. She’s great. I was just frustrated in the moment. Bridal nerves, you know. I’m fine now. Yes, I promise...why did I call for you? Uh, I’m craving those new raspberry lemon cookies from Crumble & Bake. Can you please run down and get some for me? Thank you! Love you.”
Ava returned, sounding breathless. “Sorry about that. Alex has been so on edge about the wedding. He made our florist cry the other day.” She sighed. “We’re working on his interpersonal skills.”
Usually, brides were the ones who obsessed over every detail, but Alex was type A to a fault.
“Anyway.” Ava turned serious again. “Are you sure you don’t need help? I know Christian probably has it handled, but Alex knows everyone.”
“Yes, I’m sure. There’s no need to drag more people into my mess than necessary.”
The situation had already ballooned out of control, with the move and a bodyguard and God knew what else. The last thing I wanted was for it to turn into even more of a circus.
“You’re not dragging us anywhere. We want to be there. You’re our friend, Stella,” Ava said gently. “If you’re in danger, we want to help. That’s what friends do. That’s what you would do for us.”
A knot of emotion formed in my throat. Natalia and I were sisters by blood, but Ava, Jules, and Bridget were my family by choice.
We’d been there for each other through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and even if I’d shielded them from the worst in my life, just knowing they were there helped me make it through the day.
Sometimes, all we needed was the knowledge someone somewhere cared about us.
“I know. If I need anything, I’ll tell you. I promise.”
“Okay.” Despite her palpable reluctance, Ava didn’t press the issue. “Stay safe. And I’m not just talking about the creep sending you notes.”
I’m also talking about Christian.
She didn’t say it, but I heard her loud and clear.
“I will.” I took another deep breath. “I have to go, but I love you.”
I could tell Ava wanted to say more, but she held back. “Love you too.”
I hung up.
One down, two more to go.
I called Jules next. She was going to lose her shit, but she already knew about the stalker, so maybe she’ll lose less of her shit?
Oh, who was I kidding? I would be lucky if she didn’t show up at my door wielding a machete and a plan to scour every neighborhood in D.C. until we found them.
“Hey, J,” I said when she picked up. “Are you home? You’re not near any sharp objects, are you? Good, because I have something to tell you…”