Page 5 of Dario

She is right about that. “Gemma, have you had any other messages?’

“You mean someone calling me a slut?” She hisses.

“Back up,” I wave my hands in front of her face. “I’m trying to help.”

Inhaling, she huffs out a breath. “I know. I’m sorry. This is the only creepy note I’ve received.”

“We need to call Rosie and get Dodge involved.”

She shakes her head. “No. It might be a one off.”

I frown. “You don’t really believe that.”

“I want to.” She pulls herself together. “I’ll be fine.”

I narrow my gaze. “Are you kicking me out?” Exasperated, she urges me toward the door.

“You were already leaving.”

“But—”

“Dario! I’m okay. Thanks for visiting.”

She is. She’s kicking me out. “Gemma, I don’t think me leaving is a good idea.”

“Yes, well, I’d like to be alone. Please leave.”

I bite back the words on the tip of my tongue. “I’ll go as long as you tell me if anything else happens.”

I eye her and notice the nod. “Okay.”

I hate leaving her after that creepy note, but I do because it’s what she asked. The last thing I want to do is force myself on her. Doesn’t mean I’m not going to talk to the security people who installed the cameras. I make a note of the firm once in the lobby and make the call.

Ten minutes later I’m angry. The cameras are only a deterrent. Never been connected.

CHAPTER FOUR

GEMMA

I would have askedyou out.Two weeks later his words are still in my head. Dario seemed serious, but what if he wasn't? He’d gone off with another woman that night. I accepted his apology. The note has taken over the space in my mind. Luckily, there hasn’t been another. I’m on pins waiting though. Dario has been sweet and brought me coffee daily into the office. We would briefly chat before he’d give me a beautiful smile and leave.

My thoughts did go to his type of woman. I’m certainly not his type. I've seen skinny girls with hardly any clothes on. They are practically on their knees for Dario Nelson of the Boston Bay Vikings minor league team. Just like Naomi that night.

It makes me wonder why he even looks at me. I'm better off alone, with a book in my hand. I wouldn't call myself shy, but certain people make me uncomfortable.

Accepting the position with the Vikings is a big deal for me, so I'm going to abide by the terms of my contract and deny Dario my desire. I'm sure he regrets talking to me that day in my apartment—the things he said.

Sighing, I return to the present and stare at the cucumbers in the produce section. What is wrong with me that I can't look at an innocent vegetable without thinking of him?

Flushed, I immediately select a cucumber and place it in my cart. I move on to more salad greens.

"Gemma, I didn't know you shopped here," Wayne says as he turns the corner in front of me.

I freeze. "This is my local store."Why did I tell him that?"What are you doing here?"

"I live nearby."

Wayne and I dated in high school, but he became possessive. I could not go anywhere without him showing up. And if I dared to talk to another man, he would not let it go unless I promised never to do it again. That was the end of us.