#Chapter 16 Paparazzi

I muted the TV and answered the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Anna? It’s Barnett.”

“Hi, Barnett.” I paused. “You’re calling a bit late.”

“Yeah, I know. I was just looking through my social media, and I wanted to apologize for everything.”

My heart fluttered. “You don’t need to apologize.”

“Don’t I?”

He almost sounded angry. At me? At himself?

“No. You didn’t do anything.”

I waited for him to respond, but Barnett remained quiet. The silence between us stretched to an almost uncomfortable length when he finally spoke again.

“Well, it’s getting late. I should probably let you get to sleep.”

“Yeah. Thanks for calling.”

“No problem. Good night, Anna.”

“Good night, Barnett.”

•* *

When I fell asleep, Barnett filled my dreams.

He stood in front of my bed. His eyes narrowed as they roved over my body. Chills ran up my spine at the hunger in his stare.

I looked down to see that I wore nothing but a pink, lacy, see-through nightgown. My instinct was to cover myself from Barnett’s gaze. Instead, I foun