Page 69 of His Obsession
There’s a pause, then rustling on her end.
“Oh God. How stupid?”
“I left Sebastian’s.”
“Valentina.”
“I know.”
“Please tell me you’re sitting in a Starbucks parking lot or someplace public with lots of witnesses.”
I wince. “I’m at my house.”
For a second, there’s nothing but silence. Then I hear a drawer open and something hit the floor.
“Jesus Christ,” she says. “You are lucky I love you.”
“I’m aware.”
“No, I don’t think you are.” Her voice gets sharper as she wakes up. “Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“Is the door locked?”
“Yes.”
“Check the cameras.”
“I was going to.”
“You absolutely were not.”
I pull up the doorbell app because she’s right, and because this is not the night to admit that out loud. The porch is empty. The driveway is empty. The street looks normal.
“Everything looks fine,” I say.
“Great. Fine is my favorite security protocol.”
“You’ve been spending too much time around Sebastian.”
“I’ve spent literally no time around Sebastian. I just have common sense. Anyway, I’m coming over.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Val, I say this with love, but shut up. Sit down, lock everything, and don’t open the door unless you see my face on the camera.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“I mean it,” she says, and her voice shifts enough that my smile disappears.
“I’m sorry,” I say, and for once, I don’t try to make it smaller with a joke.
“You can apologize when I get there. Preferably with snacks.”
Then she hangs up before I can argue.
The next half hour is miserable. I check the doorbell camera, then the back camera, then the side camera, then the doorbell again. I make myself sit at the kitchen island and last maybe ten seconds before getting back up to check the locks. Twice.
