lonely.
Numbers
didn’t
make
good
company. Neither did computers.
He would know.
“I hacked into the Ohio
DMV and found out all sorts of information about Heidi. Where she works, her home address, legal history, driving infractions…” She paused, studying the screen. “Two tickets for cell phone use while driving.” Smirking, she glanced at him. “That was probably your fault.
At least there’s no DUI’s.”
She was like the fucking CIA. He swallowed hard as she rambled on but a ringing started in his ears.
“Stop looking at that,” he finally snapped.
This felt like a huge
invasion of privacy. Ten times worse than looking for her real name or what state she lived in.
Curiosity piqued but guilt overrode it. He only needed the basics. Was she in real life, the way she was online? But how would Emerson know that? It wasn’t as if she could hack into her personality, or her feelings for him. The only way he would truly know was by spending time with her, in person – the one thing she was putting off. And that made him more suspicious than anything on her driving record.
Emerson gave him a puzzled
look. “Don’t you want to know if she’s on probation or something?”
“This is wrong.”
She shook her head and
sighed. “You and your morals. Fine.
I won’t check her SAT scores either then.”
“Jesus,”
he
muttered,
rubbing his hand over his face.
“No,” she replied. “She’s not affiliated with any church.” He ignored the remark,
deciding it was easier to assume she was joking. Despite his misgivings about spying, he was relieved to have an address.
Finally, he could go to her, see her face to face. She couldn’t hide anymore. “Is she in Ohio?”
“Yup. Just outside Toledo.
And she works at an elementary school, so she didn’t lie about that.” She shrugged. “This really isn’t that bad. She used a fake name and picture, and hid where she lived, but… She’s never been arrested. I couldn’t find any signs that she’s in therapy
or
takes
prescription
medication. Even her credit score is decent.”
If the news was so good, why didn’t he feel comforted by it?
And that Emerson knew so much about her felt weird. Like two worlds colliding. Not to mention the guilt. Not only that he was spying, seriously spying, but he was also
having
these
wacky,
unpredictable feelings for Em. This projection shit was out of control.
Was there a pill for this? His mother would know. She took enough vitamins and prescription medication to fill a pharmacy. She swore it relaxed her but if she were any more uptight, she’d pop like an overfilled water balloon.
“Have you asked her about any of this?” Em questioned.
“No. I was waiting until I had more evidence to confront her so I would know if she was lying again. Now that I have an address, I think I’m going to drive out to see her. I want to do it in person, so I can look in her eyes.”
She nodded. “Well, she’s
not a registered gun owner so I think you’re safe.”
He flicked his gaze to hers, looking for signs she was joking.
Her expression stayed neutral.
Typical
Emerson
–
always
pragmatic. He burst out laughing.
Her
brow
furrowed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
His
laughter
died down to just a chuckle. “I just like you.”
Pink painted her cheeks as she stared down at the table. He cringed. Stupid move. What the hell was wrong with him?
“Um. I mean, you’re doing a
good job.”
He watched her nod then
look anywhere but at him. A wave of affection swept over him. Though she didn’t put out warm fuzzy vibes, there was a certain sweetness about her, different from other girls. It was subtle but still there – in the way she blushed, her smiles that were reserved for real moments of happiness, and the fact that she seemed to care about him, even if it was only a little.
With a small smile, and a soft gaze he said, “Thank you, Emerson.”
“For what?”
“Not judging
Numbers
didn’t
make
good
company. Neither did computers.
He would know.
“I hacked into the Ohio
DMV and found out all sorts of information about Heidi. Where she works, her home address, legal history, driving infractions…” She paused, studying the screen. “Two tickets for cell phone use while driving.” Smirking, she glanced at him. “That was probably your fault.
At least there’s no DUI’s.”
She was like the fucking CIA. He swallowed hard as she rambled on but a ringing started in his ears.
“Stop looking at that,” he finally snapped.
This felt like a huge
invasion of privacy. Ten times worse than looking for her real name or what state she lived in.
Curiosity piqued but guilt overrode it. He only needed the basics. Was she in real life, the way she was online? But how would Emerson know that? It wasn’t as if she could hack into her personality, or her feelings for him. The only way he would truly know was by spending time with her, in person – the one thing she was putting off. And that made him more suspicious than anything on her driving record.
Emerson gave him a puzzled
look. “Don’t you want to know if she’s on probation or something?”
“This is wrong.”
She shook her head and
sighed. “You and your morals. Fine.
I won’t check her SAT scores either then.”
“Jesus,”
he
muttered,
rubbing his hand over his face.
“No,” she replied. “She’s not affiliated with any church.” He ignored the remark,
deciding it was easier to assume she was joking. Despite his misgivings about spying, he was relieved to have an address.
Finally, he could go to her, see her face to face. She couldn’t hide anymore. “Is she in Ohio?”
“Yup. Just outside Toledo.
And she works at an elementary school, so she didn’t lie about that.” She shrugged. “This really isn’t that bad. She used a fake name and picture, and hid where she lived, but… She’s never been arrested. I couldn’t find any signs that she’s in therapy
or
takes
prescription
medication. Even her credit score is decent.”
If the news was so good, why didn’t he feel comforted by it?
And that Emerson knew so much about her felt weird. Like two worlds colliding. Not to mention the guilt. Not only that he was spying, seriously spying, but he was also
having
these
wacky,
unpredictable feelings for Em. This projection shit was out of control.
Was there a pill for this? His mother would know. She took enough vitamins and prescription medication to fill a pharmacy. She swore it relaxed her but if she were any more uptight, she’d pop like an overfilled water balloon.
“Have you asked her about any of this?” Em questioned.
“No. I was waiting until I had more evidence to confront her so I would know if she was lying again. Now that I have an address, I think I’m going to drive out to see her. I want to do it in person, so I can look in her eyes.”
She nodded. “Well, she’s
not a registered gun owner so I think you’re safe.”
He flicked his gaze to hers, looking for signs she was joking.
Her expression stayed neutral.
Typical
Emerson
–
always
pragmatic. He burst out laughing.
Her
brow
furrowed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
His
laughter
died down to just a chuckle. “I just like you.”
Pink painted her cheeks as she stared down at the table. He cringed. Stupid move. What the hell was wrong with him?
“Um. I mean, you’re doing a
good job.”
He watched her nod then
look anywhere but at him. A wave of affection swept over him. Though she didn’t put out warm fuzzy vibes, there was a certain sweetness about her, different from other girls. It was subtle but still there – in the way she blushed, her smiles that were reserved for real moments of happiness, and the fact that she seemed to care about him, even if it was only a little.
With a small smile, and a soft gaze he said, “Thank you, Emerson.”
“For what?”
“Not judging
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