Loving My CEO Ex-Husband

"Emma, you better not be drooling on my chemistry notes again."

I jerked awake, wiping my mouth quickly. Sure enough, a small wet spot decorated the corner of Sophie's paper. 

"Sorry," I mumbled, trying to smooth out the wrinkled page.

Sophie rolled her gray eyes. "Girl, you need to stop staying up all night studying. You're gonna burn out before finals."

"Says the girl who slept through all of history class yesterday." I stretched, my back popping from hunching over the library table.

"That's different. Mr. Bradley's voice could put a hyperactive toddler to sleep." She started packing up her stuff. "Come on, Mom's making tacos tonight and you know she always makes extra for you."

My stomach growled at the mention of Mrs. Cross's famous tacos. "You don't have to ask me twice."

We grabbed our bags and headed out of Oakwood High's library. The hallway was mostly empty since it was past four. Only a few students lingered by their lockers.

"So," Sophie said as we walked to her car, "Derek asked me something weird today."

"What did that idiot want now?"

"He asked if you were seeing anyone."

I nearly tripped over my own feet. "What? Why?"

"That's what I said! I told him you're way too smart to date any of the Neanderthals at this school." She unlocked her beat-up Honda Civic. "Especially not anyone from Mason's crew."

Just hearing his name made my skin prickle. "Your brother would probably pay someone to date me just so he could watch me suffer."

"Probably," Sophie agreed, starting the engine. "He's been extra annoying lately. Like, more than usual. Last night he had music blasting until 3 AM."

"How do you share DNA with him?"

"I ask myself that every day."

Fifteen minutes later, we pulled into the Cross driveway. The two-story house looked cozy with its white fence and flower boxes. Mrs. Cross loved her garden.

"Mom, we're home!" Sophie called as we walked in.

"Kitchen, girls!"

The smell of seasoned meat and fresh tortillas hit us immediately. My mouth watered.

"Hi, Mrs. Cross," I said, dropping my bag by the door.

"Emma, sweetheart! I was hoping you'd come by. I made plenty." She gave me a warm smile while stirring the meat on the stove. "Mason's friends are coming over too, so I made triple."

My good mood evaporated. "His friends are coming?"

"Unfortunately," Sophie grumbled. "Can't we just lock them in the garage?"

"Sophia!" Her mom scolded, but she was fighting a smile.

Heavy footsteps thundered down the stairs. I didn't have to look to know who it was.

"Something smells good—oh. You're here."

I turned to find Mason standing in the doorway, basketball shorts hanging low on his hips, no shirt. I kept my eyes on his face. Only his face.

"Your powers of observation are truly impressive," I said flatly.

He smirked. "Nice to see you too, sunshine."

"Stop calling me that."

"Stop reacting to it."

"Both of you, stop," Sophie interrupted. "It's too early for your weird hate-flirting."

"We don't hate-flirt!" Mason and I said at the same time.

We glared at each other.

The doorbell rang, saving us from more awkwardness.

"That's probably Derek and Nathan," Mason said, heading to answer it.

Great. A whole evening of dodging Mason and his friends. Just what I needed.

"Let's eat in my room," Sophie suggested.

"You read my mind."

We loaded up our plates and escaped upstairs before the boys could invade the kitchen. Sophie's room was our safe haven - posters of bands covered the walls, fairy lights strung across the ceiling, and her bed was full of stuffed animals she claimed she was too old for but refused to throw away.

"So," she said, sitting cross-legged on her bed, "did you finish your college essay yet?"

"Almost. I just need to proofread it one more time."

"You've proofread it like fifty times already."

"Seventeen, actually."

She threw a pillow at me. "You're insane."

"I prefer thorough."

We ate and talked about everything and nothing - the upcoming winter dance, how Mr. Anderson definitely wore a toupee, whether Nathan was actually dating that girl from Pine Ridge High or just tutoring her.

Then my phone buzzed. Unknown number.

*You looked pretty today in your blue sweater.*

My blood went cold.

"What's wrong?" Sophie asked, noticing my face.

"Nothing, just... spam probably." I deleted the message quickly.

But my hands were shaking. I hadn't worn a blue sweater today. I'd worn it yesterday. Which meant whoever sent this had been watching me for at least two days.

Another buzz.

*Don't tell anyone, or your secret comes out.*

What secret? I didn't have any secrets. Unless...

"Emma, you're really pale. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just... I think the meat was too spicy."

"You've eaten my mom's tacos a million times."

"I know, weird right? I should probably head home."

"But it's only seven—"

"I have that calc test tomorrow." I grabbed my stuff quickly. "Tell your mom thanks for dinner."

I practically ran out of her room and down the stairs. In my rush, I slammed right into a solid chest.

Strong hands caught my arms before I could fall backward.

"Whoa there, sunshine. Where's the fire?"

Mason. Of course it was Mason. This close, I could smell his body wash - something clean and masculine that made my head spin.

"Let go," I managed.

"You okay? You look—"

"I'm fine." I pulled away from his grip. "I have to go."

"Emma—"

But I was already out the door. I didn't stop running until I reached my house three blocks away.

In my room, I locked the door and checked my phone again. The messages were gone. Like they'd never existed.

But I knew what I'd seen.

Someone was watching me. Someone who thought they knew a secret about me.

My phone buzzed again. This time it was Sophie.

*Girl what was that about? Mason said you looked terrified.*

I started to type back when another message came through. Unknown number again.

*Sweet dreams, Emma. I'll be watching.*

Attached was a photo. Me, asleep in the library today, drooling on Sophie's notes.

Someone had been right there. Watching me sleep.

And now they wanted something from me.

But what?