“Oh my God. You have… you lied to me. I can’t…” My feet start to move, carrying me backward into the bathroom. Everything I did to calm my nervous system is gone, and I’m falling into my spiral again.

“Harper, stop.” I can see him talking, and his voice is there, but I can’t communicate.

My chest tightens at the thought that someone out there is after me and it’s not just a trivial internet search. But the hurt in my chest is more than the fear.

It’s that he lied.

Just like my dad did.

Lies get people killed, that’s what happened to my dad.

My back hits the wall in the bathroom, and I can’t move any further, but Forrest comes toward me. Gasping for air, I manage to say just a few words. “I’m scared…”

“Of Chester?” he asks, and I don’t say a word.

“Of me?” he asks tentatively, and I shake my head frantically. I could never be scared of him.

He is standing so close now, I can smell him. It’s that smell that I wake to every morning. It’s hard to describe. It’s all man, and there is a hint of sweetness to his cologne. I remember the night we were together, it was like a drug that I was addicted to.

“Words, Harper!” His hands land on my cheeks so I can’t move or look away from him.

“No,” I answer him tentatively in a word.

“Then what are you scared of?” His voice softens, his thumb now stroking my cheek, and it hasn’t even registered yet that his touch isn’t freaking me out.

“Lies. They’re dangerous.” My voice is fragile, and I hate that about myself. I made a vow a long time ago never to be weak again.

“You are safe with me. I promised that I won’t let anything happen to you, and I’m a man of my word. Surely, you know that by now.” There is something about his voice that centers me.

“I don’t want to be like this.” I straight out tell him my fears. For some reason, I trust this man more than I have ever trusted another person besides Felisha. I’m close with my sisters, but I have kept so much from them to protect them, and this is part of me that I don’t ever want them to know about. It may be the big sister in me or just that I’m vain and don’t want anyone to see me differently to the image I have portrayed for so long.

“Let me in, Harper, share your fears with me.” Leaning forward, he kisses me on the forehead in the softest sweetest touch that has me tingling.