Free A Little Harmless Obsession by Melissa Schroeder

worried about Rick. I was worried about you.” His eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

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    45

    Melissa Schroeder
    “Rick couldn’t hurt you physically, and well, I’m sure you scared the living hell out of him, but he’s petty. He might do something to hurt you…or your contracting business. I’d hate for that to happen.” For a second, he said nothing, and then he seemed to relax. “I can handle him. He might be a celebrity around here, but I’ve been here longer, have too many contacts.”
    “I was also mad that everyone was treating me like a little girl.”
    “I wasn’t doing that. I was just trying to find out the truth.”
    “Why? The police had already talked to him, knew he had an alibi and you knew that too.”
    “It isn’t that tight of an alibi.”
    “When I talked to Officer Carino last night—”
    “Why were you talking to him? Did something happen?”
    Damn . “Yeah. I got a letter in the mail.”
    “Fuck. At your house?”
    She nodded, and she could admit to herself she was more than a little creeped out by it. “They’re working on the fingerprints on the envelope but mine were the only ones they cleared. Anyway, Kai followed me to work. It isn’t like I didn’t take precautions.”
    “The letter, what did it say?”
    She told him and he let loose a stream of profanity that was a little much, even for Evan.
    “I called the police right away. They’re looking into it.” Evan popped up out of his chair and started pacing. “But the bastard knows where you live.”
    “A lot of people do. I’ve lived there since I was two years old.” He waved that away. “It’s taking it to the next level.” She nodded. “I agree. But—”
    “I can’t believe you didn’t call me.”
    “What?”
    “I mean, would it have killed you to let me know…” He stopped in midsentence, halted his pacing and looked at her. “Never mind.”
    She frowned at him. “I wasn’t alone. The whole family was home.” He settled his hands on his hips and nodded.
    “I just want you to know that while appreciate your concern, I can take care of myself.” He opened his mouth but she rolled ahead. “Keeping my life as normal as possible is important. This sicko would get some kind of thrill knowing he screwed with me. But don’t think for a second I’m not taking this seriously.
    It hurts that so many people in my life, mainly the men, seem to think I’m an imbecile.” His expression softened. “You’re one of the smartest women I know.” 46
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    A Little Harmless Obsession
    Heat filled her face and her heart skipped a beat. Everything in her felt giddy and just because he called her smart. Jesus. Was she that far gone over him? Would she never be able to move on? She cleared her throat.
    “Thank you.”
    “I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
    She nodded, unable to even speak. The sincerity in his voice had a lump forming in her throat. She might never be his type of woman, but there was no denying he did care about her. Evan had a truly big heart for his friends.
    “I’ll leave you alone about it if you promise me one thing.”
    “What?”
    “Do you promise to let me know if anything else happens?” She didn’t answer right away so he continued “I know I don’t have a right to demand, but you’re one of my best friends…my only female friend other than Cynthia. I just worry about you.”
    She relented because he didn’t order her. “I will.”
    Something moved over his face but it was gone before she could even decipher it.
    “Thank you.”
    Silence filled the office as neither of them seemed to come up with anything to say. A second later, Evan’s face flushed with…embarrassment? Jeez, she would have never thought she’d see Evan Chambers blush.
    “I’ve gotta get going.”
    “Boss will probably be back in a second or two.”
    He shook his head as he backed up to the door. “I was just taking a breather before I