Free Obsessed (The Lizzy Gardner Series) by T.R. Ragan

Footfalls sounded moments after he took a seat. The receptionist came around the corner. Before she spotted him, someone entered the building, bringing with him the cold, drizzly air. Seth wouldn’t have taken note of the man at all if he hadn’t handed the receptionist a package and announced that it was for Madeline Blair.
    Of course, that piqued his interest.
    The man’s appearance, everything from his well-fitted black trench coat to his Rolex, screamed money. He had parked his Mercedes in front of the entrance and left the engine running. The license plate: DLW ESQ. He was a lawyer—a tall, dashing lawyer with a thick head of hair and a deep masculine voice. Had Madeline called in a young, handsome lawyer to help with her stalker problem? No, that wouldn’t make sense.
    Outside in the distance, he could see his Honda. Looking downward, he noticed his shoes needed polishing and there was a missing button on his coat. He suddenly felt very small and insignificant.
    “Can I help you?”
    He looked up. It was the receptionist. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Mercedes drive off. “I-I’m looking for”—he fumbled around in his pockets, pretending to look for an address—“a school. I’m supposed to pick up my daughter. She’s taking a night class.”
    “Oh, you must mean the Paul Mitchell School across the street.”
    He came to his feet, forcing a smile and shaking his head as if he’d lost his mind. He approached the young woman’s desk, hoping to get a better look at the package. Madeline’s name was scribbled on top, but nothing else. “Yes, the Paul Mitchell School.” He pointed across the street. “That way?”
    The desk plate on the counter told him her name was Cindy St. Louis. Cindy nodded. “Go back out on Madison and make a left at the light. It’s right there on the corner. You can’t miss it.”
    He thanked her, stood there awkwardly for a moment, and then said, “Was that George Clooney who just left?”
    She giggled. “No, but I wish. That was David Westlake, a friend of one of the radio personalities here at KXFO.”
    “Ah,” he said. “Thanks for your help, Cindy.”
    As he walked slowly back across the parking lot, oblivious of the rain as it dripped down his face and neck, soaking him to the bone, he cracked his knuckles, one at a time. Pop. Pop. Pop.
    By the time he was on the road again, he realized he’d been a fool to think Madeline might show interest in a guy like him. He wasn’t tall or distinguished. He was out of shape. He had nothing to offer her. But he loved her in a way he’d never loved anyone before. For now, he would have to be content to just watch after her. Some day he might find the courage to meet her face-to-face and say hello. A man could dream.

CHAPTER 12
    At the sound of the horn, Lizzy looked out the window and said, “Cathy’s here.”
    Jared frowned as he set his coffee cup on the counter. “It’s Saturday. I thought we were going to look at wedding cakes and make a decision about what to feed the guests.”
    “I thought we were going to keep this simple,” Lizzy said as she gathered her things. “You know, barbecue and Rice Krispies treats?”
    “You were serious?”
    “You weren’t?” Another honk. “I’m sorry. Cathy called the other day to ask me to visit Dad with her. He’s not doing well.”
    “How bad is it?”
    “I’m not sure, but I’ll call you either way to let you know what’s going on.”
    “The cake lady is expecting us at noon. If you don’t make it, do you have any preferences as far as flavors go?”
    “Just pick anything.”
    “It’s not that easy,” Jared said. “According to Heather across the street, they don’t make the standard three-tiered cookie-cutter cake any longer.”
    “Are you talking about Heather Long Legs? The woman who has a new boyfriend every month? What does she know about wedding cakes?”
    “Apparently a lot.”
    Lizzy frowned. “Does this mean no plastic figurine on top