“It’s not something I want to get into right now. Maybe in time.”

He wraps his arms around me. “It’s okay, I’m here whenever you’re ready. Just next time clue me in.”

I nod. “Deal.”

“Okay, well, I’m still starving. Are you going over to Sam’s?”

“Yeah, but not ‘til tonight. Let’s get some food.” I grab his hand, and we walk toward his car. I shoot a text to Sam letting her know I haven’t lost my mind and that I’ll see her tonight.

***

I pull into Sam’s driveway for our girl’s night. Before I can knock, the door opens, and Hunter is standing there. “Hey, I was just leaving so you girls can spend the rest of the night binge eating and man-hating.” He smiles at me before walking to his car.

“Sam?” I walk into the house and close the door behind me.

“In the kitchen!” I walk through the house finding her opening a bottle of wine. “Hey! I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” She walks over, giving me a hug and then handing me a glass of wine. “Come on let's sit down.”

We head to the living room, and Sam puts on some movie that we have seen a million times. We tried renting movies before, but we usually just end up talking through most of it, so it’s a waste.

“So what’s been going on? How is everything with Jake?” She crosses her legs and faces me.

“Everything has been good. It's…different. He is the first guy I have ever been in a relationship with. Honestly, I feel lost most of the time because I have no idea how to function in it.” I take a sip of my wine. “I’m also scared that I’ll screw it up. I just don’t want to get hurt.”

“Let me fill you in a little bit on Jake. He is one of the most genuine guys I have ever met. He means what he says, he doesn’t play games, and he will do anything for the people he loves. Don’t second guess anything. You’re lucky because Hunter and I spent most of the first few months we were together messing with each other’s heads.” We both laugh. I remember how she used to vent to me that he drove her crazy. “Just relax. Let things happen naturally. If you spend every minute trying to prevent bad shit from happening, you’ll never experience any of the good.”

“You are very wise, Yoda.” I laugh, and she throws a pillow at me. “Hey now! You almost made me spill my wine. That’s a party foul and a crime punishable by execution.”

“Yeah, yeah. Any way, I’m glad that you guys are giving it a shot. I swear the boys were about to start taking bets on how many times you told him to get lost.”

I laugh thinking about Jake’s persistence. I’m going to try to follow her advice and stop stressing all of the little things. Jake has never given me a reason to worry or doubt him; I need to relax.

Chapter Twenty Two

Nina

I’m going over my apartment to see Tina today. I’ve been putting it off because of this whole situation with the notes. I feel like me being there might be putting her in danger, and I know she is going to want to know everything. The truth is, I have no idea what is going on other than some psycho has been following me.

As close as Tina and I are, she barely knows anything about me. I have never been someone comfortable with sharing my story, or much else about me. Whenever we would have girls’ nights, she would mainly talk, and I would listen. I liked it that way. Everything seemed so simple.

I knock on the door instead of just walking in; it hasn’t been that long since I went to stay with Jake, but I feel awkward. Tina opens the door greeting me with a smile, and I follow her in. Once I close the door, she wraps me in a hug.

“Are you okay? I’ve been so worried about you.” Her voice is full of concern and guilt consumes me that I haven’t come to see her sooner.

“I’m okay. I’m sorry I haven’t been around. Things have been so hectic, and I’m apparently horrible at juggling.” I’ve never had a relationship and really never had close friends before Sam and Tina, now having both and trying to balance everything is hard.

We walk into the living room and sit on the couch. “So what has been going on?”

That’s a loaded question. “Some creep had been sending stuff to my work. First it was a black rose; then it was a decapitated mouse. They come with really cryptic notes, and they are freaking me out. After the last one, Jake told me to stay with him because he wanted to be there in case anything happened. He’s been great.” I can feel myself blush thinking of being with him.

“Check out at that dreamy look on your face! I cannot believe you are all googly-eyed over this guy. Honestly, with the way you used to shoot him down I thought you might just be gay.”

I laugh. “Nope, definitely not. I’ve just never met anyone like him. He is so…different.”

“Different good, or different like he has a weird looking schlong?” She scrunches up her face.

Not expecting that I choke on my own spit, completely unable to breathe for a minute. “Different good.” I finally choke out.

“Okay, good.” She winks at me. “So anything else happening?”

My dead sister has been showing up in my dreams and giving me advice. Tina doesn’t know anything about Carly. I have never told that story to anyone but Jake. I guess I feel like since I couldn’t protect her when she was alive, that now I need to protect her memory. “Not really. You know I’m boring.”

“Have you and lover boy done the dirty yet, or are you still playing Mother Teresa?”

My mouth drops open. “We um…we did the other day.” I’m so embarrassed. I am not comfortable talking about this.

“Good. I mean, honestly, I worried he was gay too. I mean what kind of guy sleeps in girl’s bed and doesn’t touch her?” Jake never tried to make a move the nights he stayed over.

“He definitely isn’t gay! He told me he swore to himself he wouldn’t be the first one to make a move. He said he thought if he tried something too early he would scare me off.” When he said that to me, it only solidified how right he is for me. Without me telling him, he knew that I was scared of that type of connection. It’s like he knew me better than I knew myself.

“Whatever, my gaydar was seriously beeping for a while there.” We laugh and spend the rest of the night catching up. I have missed her.

When Jake texts me saying he is on his way, I say a silent thank you. All this wine has made me so damn tired, and I’m about to pass out in the middle of our conversation.

I give Tina a hug, and she makes me promise that I won't let it be so long until we see each other again.

Chapter Twenty Three

Nina

I wake up to an incredible smell. What is that? When I walk downstairs, Jake is standing in the kitchen shirtless, making pancakes. I watch him while I have the opportunity to do so without him knowing. His muscles tense and ripple with each small movement, and I swear they are hypnotizing.

He turns to grab a plate and sees me standing there. “Way to ruin my surprise. I was going to bring these upstairs to you.”

I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his waist. “How did I get so lucky?” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him.

“I have no idea, but you can show me how thankful you are after breakfast if you want.” He gives me a wink before turning back to the griddle and removing the pancakes.

I sit at the counter and think about how much my life has changed in the last six months. How much Jake has changed me. Ever since the day we had lunch with my parents, Jake has been trying to help me work through my issues. I even called my mom the other day; we talked for a few minutes, and while it was awkward it wasn’t horrible. He has been so supportive, and even though the notes have stopped coming, I’ve still been staying with him. We both think that it was Jaimie since everything stopped once Jake fired her.