Page 45 of Aperture

“I want you to be safe.”

“I am safe,” I start. “Unless there’s something you aren’t telling me.”

He stares at me but doesn’t say a word.

“That’s what I thought.” I turn back around to leave.

“Wait,” he says, grabbing my elbow and spinning me around. “Did you get your window fixed?”

I sigh. “Yes, I got it fixed.”

He pauses for a moment, satisfied with that answer. I notice he doesn’t ask if Theo fixed it. Consequently, he didn’t. But he did call someone and watched attentively the entire time the guy was there fixing it. He also paid for it, despite my protests.

“How’s Milo?” he asks. I can’t criticize him for asking that question. My dog is a badass. “He’s good,” I say sincerely.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Can I stop you?” I quip.

He smiles at that.

“Do you know any self-defense?”

“I know how to hurt someone with my quick wit and sarcasm.”

Wyatt chuckles and it’s possibly the warmest feeling I’ve had in days, which is concerning.

“That is the truest damn statement I have ever heard,” he says. “Would you consider letting me teach you a few things?”

I cock an eyebrow at him, insinuating he may have another motive.

As if reading my mind he holds his hands up. “Purely platonic. I promise. Please, do this for me. I will sleep better knowing you have a few self-defense skills.”

I ponder it for a minute. I should say no.

Theo won’t be happy. But I am a woman, living alone, in a city where there might be a serial killer and there is definitely a weird, picture-leaving creeper.

“OK, yes.”

Wyatt visibly relaxes. “Can you meet me tomorrow morning at the gym on Del Rio Road?”

“I can,” I say.

“Thank you, Millie,” Wyatt says.

He seems relieved and grateful that I am allowing him to do this. It’s almost as if he feels responsible for this whole thing, which is ridiculous. Still, I humor him.

“You’re welcome, Wyatt. I will see you tomorrow.” I start to walk toward my car.

“What about your dinner?” he calls.

“I will see you tomorrow,” I repeat without looking back.

He watches me get into my car and drive off. It doesn’t even matter that I didn’t end up getting any groceries because my appetite is now nonexistent.

◆◆◆

I watch them fight in the parking lot of the grocery store like a couple of junior high school students.