A Lova' Like No Otha' by Stephanie Perry Moore

you.”
    A smile crossed my face, and I could feel myself blushing. I wondered how much longer I'd be able to hold back my feelings for this wonderful man.
    When we returned to the apartment, we settled on the couch. Chase put his arm around me as he flipped the channels, finally settling on the news. I wasn't sure if his gesture was romantic or not, but it felt good as I rested my head on his chest.
    All of a sudden, there was a loud crash and we both jumped from the couch.
    “What was that?” I asked.
    “I don't know. I think something outside.”
    “It sounded like glass, like a window breaking.”
    I slipped on my shoes and Chase walked toward the door. I followed him outside. We weren't the first ones to investigate. The parking lot was filled with our neighbors—all standing around a car. My Probe.
    The passenger window was shattered; there was glass inside and outside the car. Chase pushed through the crowd, gingerly reaching inside through the sharp edges of the broken glass. He lifted a red brick from the passenger seat. There was a note taped to the brick. He handed the note to me.
    I could hear the muttering behind me—nosy neighbors wondering what kind of drama I'd brought to the neighborhood.
    “‘You best leave my man alone,’” I read softly, not wanting to share my business with everyone. I looked up at Chase. “This is crazy,” I exclaimed, trying to keep my voice down. “That Aisha chick has been driving me nuts. Last weekend, she slashed my tires. Now this. I don't know why she thinks I'm still seeing Devyn.”
    Even though I kept my voice soft, I couldn't stop my body from trembling with anger and frustration.
    “Calm down,” Chase said, trying to pull me into his arms. “It's okay.”
    “No, it's not!” I shouted, shaking his arms from me.
    Chase grabbed my shoulders. “Let's go inside.” He turned to the crowd around us. “She's all right, y'all. Everything's cool.”
    “This is far from cool,” I yelled, finally and completely losing control.
    I passed by the men and women, some eyeing me with curiosity, some shaking their heads with pity. As Chase and I walked back toward his apartment, the crowd began to disperse, the night's drama over—at least for them.
    But just as we got to Chase's front door, I turned back to the people who were still standing around.
    “Did anybody see who threw this?” I asked.
    There were a few mumbled noes, though most people kept silent.
    I looked through the faces in the crowd. “Surely somebody saw somethin'.”
    “Zoe, we don't need to get anyone else involved. Let's just go inside and call the police.” Chase almost had to push me into the apartment.
    “Yeah, right. Like the police are gonna do anything. I couldn't even get through the last time I called them. No, I've got to handle this. I know where she lives.”
    “How can you be sure Aisha did this or slashed your tires?” he asked as I paced in the living room.
    “She came over here the day my tires got cut. She said some crazy things. Obviously Devyn is cheating on her and lying to her. He told her that I still wanted him, and we both know that's not true.” I paused, trying to hold back my tears. I didn't want Aisha to win. “I can't take this, Chase. I'm afraid she's gonna do something to me, not just my stuff. I don't feel safe.”
    “That's why we have to file a report.”
    “Whatever,” I said, continuing my pacing. “But it's not gonna do a bit of good.”
    Chase picked up the phone, then hesitated before he dropped the receiver back into the cradle. “Listen, I've got an idea.” He paused as if his thoughts had not completely formed in his mind. “Why don't you come with me to Seattle? In fact, why don't we leave tonight?”
    I stared at him for a moment. “What?” Surely I couldn't have heard right.
    “I don't want to leave you here.” He began making his argument, waving his hands in the air. “You're still dealing with your grief about the breakup, and now