“Hey, baby.” He sounded sleepy despite it being midway through the afternoon. The huskiness in his tone was instantly alluring. “What’s up?”

“Nothing much,” I said, wandering through the house with my phone at my ear. I took a quick peek at my dad’s office, but the door was shut, and I could hear the news playing from inside. I didn’t want to blurt out I called you because I was scared! but I also wasn’t sure what else to say. “Just, uh…called to see what you’re doing, I guess.”

“Oh, you know how it is. Sleeping in, getting high, eating snacks in bed. Thinking about your sexy ass. Degenerate things.” He chuckled. “I started a new painting today. I’ll show you next time you come over.”

It was remarkable how quickly he could put me at ease, how the stress felt as if it was melting out of my muscles. I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and trudged upstairs, flopping down onto my bed.

“Why’d you really call me, Jess?” Vincent said, his voice gentle. “Don’t lie.”

I sighed, feeling guilty that he didn’t believe me about calling to chat, then feeling even guiltier that he was right. “I saw Manson’s dad again today.”

His voice was instantly more alert. “Where?”

“At the cafe. It was The Toasted Bean, off Fair Street and Westlake. I don’t know what was up with him. I ran into him when I was leaving and he grabbed me —”

“He fucking what?” There was a thump, as if he’d suddenly moved or dropped something. “Where are you? Are you all right? Are you somewhere safe?”

“Yes, yes, I’m okay. I’m at home.” I was surprised by the alarm in his voice. “But it freaked me out and I didn’t know who else to call.”

He sighed heavily. “I’m glad you did. Manson knows he’s back in town and he’s not happy about it. I actually…I kinda fucked up, Jess. I forgot to tell him and he found out because he saw his dad’s truck parked near your house.”

My eyes widened as I sat up. “Near my house?”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry, I’m sure it’s not…I don’t think it meant anything. I think it just scared Manson, you know?”

“Yeah, well, this old man is starting to freak me out too,” I said, pulling my curtain aside and staring out at the street. “He knew my name, Vincent. He knew exactly who I was.”