I rub the heel of my palm against my chest, right on top of where my heart is.

“Shake it off,” I tell myself out loud, hating the way my voice is so wobbly. “Since when have you become a crybaby? Why are you getting your feelings hurt over some stranger? He’s the last person you need to be thinking about.”

My little pep talk helps me a bit. More so when it hits me that I really do have to be wary of this man. Whatever his reason is for being in town, it’s got something to do with ...