Obsessed (Whiskey Run 3)

“Yeah, you’re welcome. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you, but you don’t look anything like you did in high school.”

This time, there’s no way I can keep my face guarded because his words sting. I’m no longer the tiny girl I was in high school. Yes, I’ve gained weight, and obviously that’s the first thing he’s noticed. I hold up the bag that I’m sure has the cake in it. “Uh, yeah, I just can’t seem to turn down the cake. So I need to get back to work.”

I don’t even wait for him to respond. I turn my back to him and grab some books off the shelf behind me. I walk back around the counter and away from him, hoping he gets the hint and leaves.

3

Evan

I’m so stupid. That’s the only excuse I have. I’m used to dealing with the hard-edged men and women I served with. Obviously, I shouldn’t be out in public. Even though I went there with an apology in mind and to thank her for the care packages, I totally screwed that up. When I made the stupid remark about not looking anything like she did in high school, I meant it as a compliment even though now, I realize it would have been an offhanded one at that. But before I could right my wrong, I saw the tears well up in her eyes and the way she wanted far from me. There’s no way I was going to follow her and make an even bigger mess of it.

So what do I do? I tuck my head and walk back across the street to the office.

“How’d it go?” Sam asks.

“You don’t want to know.” I shake my head, remembering too late that he wasn’t asking about Sierra, he was asking about the quote for Violet. “I mean the quote is fine. I’ll drop it off this afternoon. Pretty cut and dried.”

I walk past him and drop into the desk next to his.

Sam is watching me, no doubt wondering if he should ask me what’s wrong or not. He’s been walking on eggshells ever since I got back, and even though I probably need to talk to someone about Sierra, I’m not ready to yet. I’m not entirely sure why I’m so upset about the whole situation. It’s not like I did anything wrong, really. But the fact I hurt her, even without meaning to, is weighing heavily on me. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I tell him before he decides to ask me about it.

Sam blows out a breath. “Okay then. Well, we got a call from the city while you were out. They are wanting to update the security cameras in their city operated buildings.”

I sit up, paying more attention now. “Like the library? When do we start?”

His forehead creases. “Yeah, the library, the courthouse, city hall, the civic center... and we start tomorrow.”

“I want the library,” I tell him, not even considering beating around the bush. I have to find a way to talk to Sierra, make things right.

Sam has the gall to laugh. “Ahh, so you’ve seen Sierra, I take it?”

My whole body tenses up. Surely my older brother doesn’t have a thing for the pretty librarian. If he does, I’ll be nipping that in the bud. “What do you know about Sierra?”

He crosses his arms over his chest with a smirk. “Like you don’t know?”

Really confused now, I ask, “Know what?”

He shakes his head. “Well, let’s see, where do I start? She’s liked you since high school...”

“She has not!”

He barks a laugh that echoes in the room and then rolls his eyes. “Yeah, you’re right. She was a nerd—”

“Hey!” I say, instantly taking offense to that.

He shakes his head. “There’s nothing wrong with it. But even knowing that, she came to every one of your games and couldn’t take her eyes off you. She started coming around the house, helping Mom in the garden, talking to her about books. I mean, hello. She’s sent you care packages for the last four years.”

My mind starts to race. I don’t remember her coming over to the house. “She was never at our house.”

“All. The. Time. She would sit and wait, just hoping to get a glimpse of you. I felt bad for her actually, but you were always at practices or hanging out with your girlfriend or your jock friends. You didn’t even notice her.”

I get up and start pacing the room. Is he right? Did Sierra like me in high school? Is that why she sent the care packages with the sweet notes? I run my hand through my hair. Did I ruin any chance I have with her by opening my big, fat stupid mouth?

“The library... I’m starting it today.”

He moves and stops in front of me. “The contract starts tomorrow.”