I nod, eyes dropping to my cinnamon roll, trying to hide the blush creeping up my neck.
Her jaw drops.“Oh my God, Penny. He did more than kiss, didn’t he?”
I bite my lip, heart hammering.“Let’s just say… he knows how to make a girl forget the rest of the world.”
Summer lets out a squeal so loud a couple of customers glance over.“Hot, a total gentlemanandhe knows how to kiss? Honey, that’s marriage material right there.” She winks, clearly living vicariously.
“It was just our second date,” I protest, laughing, though the warmth in my chest betrays me.
“Uh-huh. Imagine the third one.” She arches a brow, and we both burst into giggles. For a moment, the unease fades, replaced by the easy comfort of friendship.
Then my phone buzzes sharply on the counter. My heart leaps,Cas. My hand trembles as I reach for it. When I check the screen, the number is unknown.
I hesitate, thumb hovering.“Hello?”
At first, nothing. Just breathing. Slow. Heavy. My pulse spikes.
Then a voice I know far too well, low and venomous, cuts through me.Mark
“Nice dress you wore on that boat yesterday. Always knew you were a whore. And you’ll pay the price for that.”
The line goes dead.
The phone slips from my hand, clattering against the counter. My chest seizes, my lungs aching for air that won’t come.
“Penny?” Summer’s voice is suddenly right in front of me, gripping my shoulders. Her tone distant, muffled, like I’m underwater.
I can’t answer. My breaths come short, shallow. Too fast. Too slow. Not enough. My vision narrows, black dots swirling at the edges.
“Penny! Who was that?” Summer shouts, panic flaring in her eyes.
“I…Mark,” I manage, voice trembling, barely audible.
“I’m calling Cas!” she shouts, fumbling for her phone, fingers shaking.
The barstool scrapes against the floor as I stumble, clutching at nothing. My legs give out beneath me, and I hit the ground, the world narrowing into a dark tunnel.
The last thing I see is Summer’s terrified face hovering above me before everything goes black.
Casper
Corinne and Chris are bickering over who gets to eat the last donut.
"Cas, tell her I called dibs on that one like anhourago!" Chris turns to me, clutching the box like it’s evidence in a case.
"What is up with you and that smile? You came in this morning looking like you won the lottery." He narrows his eyes at me. "Ooooh, that’s right. You had a date this weekend!"
I ignore him, though the corner of my mouth betrays me.
Chris leans on my desk. "I guess it went well, judging by that big smile…”
"Go back to work, Chris." My tone is flat, but he just grins wider.
Right then, the phone rings. Corinne grabs it. "Lander County Sheriff’s Department, how can I help you?"
Her eyes flick up to mine, sharp and uneasy.
"Cas. It’s for you."
