Secret Stalker. Lena Diaz

      “You’re the one who planted the lilies, aren’t you?”

      Again, he remained silent. But the truth was in his eyes.

      “You really did visit my mom regularly, didn’t you, Max? Why?”

      He straightened away from her car. “Just because you pushed me out of your life didn’t mean your mom did. I always planned on marrying you, Bex. From the moment we started hanging out in middle school. I thought of your mom as my future mother-in-law for so long I couldn’t just turn that off when you threw my proposal in my face.”

      She sucked in a breath. “I didn’t throw it in your face.”

      He waved his hand in the air. “Just go see your lawyer and run off to Pigeon Forge. You’ve probably got some guy waiting there for you. Don’t let me keep you.”

      She glared up at him, her hands on her hips. “And don’t let me keep you from those interns you’re sleeping with, either.”

      His jaw tightened and he held the door open for her.

      Her anger evaporated in a shaky sigh. Tears burned at the backs of her eyes. “Can’t wait for me to leave, can you, Max?”

      Something passed in his eyes—regret? His anger seemed to rush out of him, too, and he looked tired and resigned.

      “This is never how I wanted things to be between us. But it’s probably for the best, Bex.”

      She nodded. “I’m just glad you’re okay. I was so scared when I heard that gunman saying the cop had interfered and they were going to kill him. I figured that was you. I was so scared. I was trying to find you to warn you when I got trapped behind that display of T-shirts.”

      “You were looking for me to warn me? Are you insane?”

      She stiffened. “Apparently so. Take care, Max. I mean it. I want you to be happy and safe. No matter what you think of me, that has never changed. I’ve always wanted what was best for you. That was the driving concern in every decision that I made.”

      He frowned at her words. “Bex, what are you—”

      She shook her head, realizing she’d said too much. She stepped into the opening to get in the car. A loud boom sounded and the windshield exploded.

      Max grabbed her and shoved her to the ground.