The Man She Was Never Supposed To Love

Out For Lunch

Sarah’s POV

I couldn't stop thinking about the footprint.

Even after Tyler assured me everything was fine, the image remained trapped in my mind.

A fresh footprint.

Then another.

Someone had been outside.

Watching the house.

Watching me.

I tried to convince myself that it could have been anything. Maybe a neighbor had wandered too close to the property. Maybe someone had taken a shortcut through the trees.

But deep down, I knew that wasn't what Tyler thought.

I'd seen the way his expression changed when he looked through the window.

For just a second, the easygoing man I'd been having breakfast with disappeared.

In his place was someone guarded.

Alert.

Protective.

And strangely, that frightened me almost as much as it comforted me.

"Sarah?"

I looked up.

Tyler was standing near the doorway, watching me.

"Sorry."

"You disappeared for a minute."

"I was just thinking."

"About the footprints?"

I hesitated.

"Yeah."

Tyler's jaw tightened slightly.

"I've already made some calls. I'm going to have security around the property."

I blinked.

"You already did that?"

"I don't want you worrying every time you look out a window."

"Tyler, you don't have to do that."

"I know."

His answer was immediate.

"But I'm going to."

Something about the certainty in his voice made my chest tighten.

I wasn't used to someone making me feel protected without making me feel controlled.

That distinction mattered.

"Thank you," I whispered.

His expression softened.

"You're welcome."

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then he glanced at his watch.

"Come on."

"Where?" I asked.

"Let's get showered and dressed. We can go out shopping before lunch." He said.

"Shopping."

I smiled despite myself.

"I thought you said anything I wanted."

"I did."

"So you're letting me choose?"

"Absolutely."

I stood and went to take a shower while Tyler washed the breakfast dishes.

After an hour or so, I was showered and dressed. I wore a sky-blue, knee-length dress with a cardigan. I styled my hair up into a messy bun.

When I went downstairs, Tyler was already waiting in the living room patiently.

"So where are we going?" I asked curiously.

"How about somewhere casual?"

"Works for me. And no fancy restaurants."

Tyler laughed.

"Wasn't planning on one."

"Good."

We walked outside together.

The moment I stepped onto the porch, I instinctively looked toward the trees.

Nothing.

No movement.

No figure watching us.

Just sunlight filtering through the branches.

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that we weren't alone.

Tyler seemed to notice.

His hand briefly touched the small of my back.

"Don't worry."

I looked at him.

"How do you always know when I'm nervous?"

"I pay attention."

Those three words affected me more than they should have.

I looked away before he could see the warmth spreading across my cheeks.

The drive to the mall was surprisingly easy.

We talked about random things.

School.

Food.

Music.

Tyler even admitted that he couldn't cook much beyond eggs and grilled cheese.

I laughed so hard at that confession that he pretended to be offended.

"You don't believe me?"

"I absolutely believe you."

"That's insulting."

"You should learn how to cook."

"I know how to order takeout."

"That's not cooking."

"It is if you're hungry."

I shook my head.

By the time we reached the mall, I realized something.

I hadn't thought about parents for almost twenty minutes.

Twenty minutes.

That felt like an eternity.

Inside, Tyler held the door open for me.

The mall wasn't so busy with people yet, as it was still early. Tyler took me to the store to see if I needed anything for school. However, I didn't want him to buy me anything.

"Tyler, you don't have to buy me anything. I don't want you to waste your money on me." I stated.

"I'm not wasting money on you if these are the things you need. Remember you are under my roof, and I'm here to take care of you. That is including anything you need and want." He said.

We spent hours in the mall. Tyler was more of a shopaholic than I was, which was pretty funny.

Afterwards, we left the mall, and Tyler drove us to a restaurant.

Once we arrived, we were seated near a large window overlooking the street.

I smiled when I noticed.

"You're sitting me next to the window?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No."

I glanced outside.

The street was busy with people walking, cars passing, and families enjoying the beautiful Saturday weather.

Normal.

Safe.

At least for the moment.

Tyler sat across from me.

"What are you thinking?"

I smiled.

"Nothing."

"That's becoming your favorite answer."

"Maybe because you ask too many questions."

"Maybe."

A waitress came over, and we ordered. The waitress was staring at Tyler too hard and was ignoring me in the process. But Tyler didn't pay her any mind.

Once she left, Tyler leaned back in his chair.

"You seem happier."

The words caught me off guard.

I looked down at the table.

"I am."

"Good."

"I didn't think I would be."

"Why?"

I swallowed.

"Because after everything that happened..." I couldn't finish.

Tyler didn't force me to.

He simply waited.

I finally looked up.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do now."

His expression softened.

"Your parents only went away for a short amount of time. They will be back soon enough. You don't have to figure everything out today."

"I know. I'm used to my parent spends days away for work. Not weeks to months."

"You are a grown woman now. They trust you enough and believe you enough to stay away for work so long."

I stared at him.

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

He looked genuinely surprised by the question.

"Because you deserve someone being nice to you."

My throat tightened.

I quickly looked away.

The waitress returned with our drinks, giving me an excuse to compose myself.

After she left, Tyler smiled.

"You okay?"

"Yeah."

I took a sip of water.

"Just... not used to this."

"To what?"

"Someone actually caring whether I'm okay besides my parents..."

His expression changed.

Something quiet passed between us.

Then he reached across the table.

His hand stopped just short of mine.

He didn't touch me.

He waited.

Giving me the choice.

I slowly placed my hand beneath his.

His fingers closed gently around mine.

Warm.

Steady.

Safe.

My heart fluttered.

Neither of us said anything.

We didn't need to.

Then Tyler's phone vibrated.

His expression immediately changed. He looked at the screen.

"What is it?" I asked.

He didn't answer right away. He typed something quickly. Then he looked at me.

"Security."

My stomach dropped.

"What happened?"

"Nothing happened."

"Tyler."

He sighed.

"They found another footprint near the side gate."

My heart began pounding.

"So someone really was watching the house."

"It looks that way."

"Then why are we sitting here?"

"Because I don't want whoever is doing this to control your life."

I stared at him.

He squeezed my hand.

"We're going to finish lunch."

I gave a nervous laugh.

"You really are stubborn."

"Very."

I looked at our joined hands.

Then back at him.

For the first time, I realized something.

Maybe being under Tyler's roof wasn't going to be as terrifying as I'd imagined.

Maybe I didn't have to spend every waking moment in my room trying to avoid my feelings for Tyler.

Maybe...

I could finally breathe.

But as I glanced toward the restaurant window, my smile slowly disappeared.

Across the street stood a man.

He wasn't looking at the restaurant.

He wasn't looking at the traffic.

He was looking directly at me.

Our eyes met.

My entire body went cold.

Then he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

"Sarah?"

I looked back at Tyler.

"What?"

"You look scared."

I swallowed hard.

"I think..."

My eyes moved back toward the window.

"...someone was watching us."

Tyler's expression hardened.

He immediately turned toward the street.

But whoever I'd seen was already gone.

And somehow, I knew this wasn't a coincidence.

Someone knew where I was.

Someone knew I was staying with Tyler.

And suddenly, the safety I'd started to feel around him didn't seem like enough.

All of a sudden, my phone rang. It was my mother. My mood shifted completely, and I forgot about the disappearing man.

"Hi, Mom."

"Hello, sweetie. I hope Tyler is taking good care of my baby."

"Yes. Tyler has been very accommodating and helpful." I said with a smile on my face.

"I'm not gonna waste any more of your time. I just wanted to check up on you. I will call you tonight so your father can talk to you. Have a good day, sweetie."

"Goodbye, Mom."

After getting off the phone with my mother, our waitress returned with our food.

We enjoyed our lunch together, forgetting about everything else.