“Okay. Thanks,” Tessa said. “Jen?”
“I’m here,” Jen spoke up.
“I’m so sorry. I panicked.”
“Hey, I told you already, it’s fine. Brendan is my problem, not yours. I’m sorry he cornered you like that.”
“It’s not your fault, hon.” Tessa sighed. “That man is certifiable, huh?”
“Tell me about it.”
The two women said goodbye, and after she hung up, Jen checked her phone display to find out who’d called. Her scowl was all the answer Cash needed.
“Brendan’s office number,” she muttered, releasing an annoyed breath. “Looks like I have to change my cell number. Again.”
An idea niggled at the back of his mind. “Call him back.”
Her eyes widened. “Why would I do that?”
“Because enough is enough,” Cash said tersely. “This creep has already showed up at your parents’ house, and now he’s harassing your friends. Someone needs to have a little chat with him.”
“And what, that someone will be you?”
“Yep.”
“Forget it. The best way to get him off my back is to ignore him. If you confront him, you’ll only rile him up.”
No, but he might rough him up.
Probably best not to mention that. Using violence as a method of problem solving wasn’t something he did often—not in his personal life, anyway. But Psycho McGee had already scared Jen out of her apartment, bombarded her email address with his nonsense, harassed her parents, and now he was causing trouble for her friends? The asshole was long overdue for a wake-up call, and Cash had no problem giving it to him.
“Call him back,” he repeated, his tone brooking no argument.
Jen looked frazzled. “And say what?”
“Tell him you want to meet him when he gets off work.”
“What? No.”
He ignored her protest. “Say you want to sit down and hash all this out. Arrange to meet at the Gaslamp Tavern.”
“Cash—”
“Just do it, Jen.”
“This is insane,” she said, but she still reached for her phone.
“Be polite, tell him it’s time for the two of you to talk, but don’t lead him on,” Cash warned.
“Lead him on? It’ll be a challenge not to yell every swear word in the book at him.” She dialed, pressed send, and lifted the phone to her ear.
“Speaker,” he ordered.
Rolling her eyes, she pressed a button and lowered the phone.
Jen’s ex picked up on the first ring, sounding overjoyed. “Jen! Oh, sweetie, I’m so glad you called.”
Cash’s shoulders stiffened. Sweetie?
No fucking way, buddy. She is not your sweetie.
Her lips tightened. “Hello, Brendan.”
“You spoke to Tessa, didn’t you?” Brendan’s deep, slightly gravelly voice held a note of unmistakable guilt. “I know I scared her and I really regret that. I was just going out of my mind not knowing where you were. I get why you moved out and why you filed the restraining order. I know you were freaked out about the notes and the flowers, but I didn’t mean to frighten you. I wanted to make a grand romantic gesture, you know? Show you how much I still love you.”
Jen listened to the entire speech without comment. The angry glint didn’t leave her blue eyes, but her voice remained cordial as she said, “Well, I was freaked out. Forgive me if your grand romantic gestures were a tad overwhelming.”
“I know. I’m sorry,” he said again. “But you called back, so that means you’re not angry anymore, doesn’t it?”
“No, I’m still angry,” she answered coolly.
Cash sent her an unspoken warning with his eyes.
“But I do think we should meet,” she added in a forced voice.
“You do?” Happiness reverberated through the extension.
“We need to sit down and talk about this, Brendan.”
“That’s a good idea, sweetie. When do you want to do it?”
“As soon as possible. Maybe today when you’re done with work?”
The muffled sound of typing filled the line. “My last client appointment is at five. I’ll be finished by six. Should I come to you?”
“No.” Her tone came out sharp. “I’d rather we meet somewhere public.”
A pause. “I understand.”
“Meet me at that new bar on Market and 5th. The Gaslamp Tavern,” Jen said. She shot Cash a brief look, and from her pink cheeks, he knew she was remembering the night they’d met. “How about six thirty?”
“Six thirty is perfect.” Brendan sounded choked up. “Thank you. I know if you just give me a chance to explain, we can fix this.”
As promised, Jen didn’t lead him on. Not even an inch. “I’ll see you later, Brendan.” Then she disconnected and turned to Cash. “Happy?”
“No, not really,” he answered darkly. “That creep is clearly obsessed with you.”
“You’re the one who wants to meet him.” She dropped the phone on the table and took a step away.
“Wait.” He gulped. “About what I said before. I know I was harsh, but—”