Chapter 1
Georgia
“Hello, this is City Union Bank. This is a call to collect a debt,”the automated voice begins over the line. “Please remit?—”
“Nope,” I mutter, and hang up on the robotic demon lady before tossing my phone into the passenger seat of my car.
Fuck you, City Union.
I bite down on my lip, willing away the sick feeling in my stomach that comes with the phone call. I won’t be able to hang up on them forever, but for now I just can’t deal.
I obviously know my credit card is maxed out and I need to make a payment. I don’t need a reminder from them to tell me that. But with Daisy getting married and moving out, I’ve been spending a lot more money.
“And working the perfume counter at Macy’s isn’t exactly a high-paying job,” I add aloud under my breath, reaching for the radio to turn the music up. As soon as I do, my phone ringsagain.“They can’t be calling two times in a row…” I look over at the screen, catching sight of my new roommate Lily’s face.
Ugh.I roll my eyes and decide not to pick up. She’swaytoo much. I mean, I’m glad she moved in because I certainly couldn’tpay the rent by myself. But damn, I wish she’d just chill the fuck out.
My head is pounding from a long afternoon of smelling overpowering fragrances, and today, an older, snobby woman with literallynothingbetter spent way too long antagonizing me about when the new Spears line would be arriving.
I shudder, pushing the thought away as I get closer to home. Despite my shitty job and my shitty situation, the house I rent is tucked away in a quaint little corner of the city. When Daisy left, it might’ve been smarter to move out, but the little cottage-style two-bedroom home is something I didn’t want to give up.
Mostly because of the kitchen.
“What the hell…” My voice trails off, and my pity thoughts fade away as I make a right, and notice all the cars parked around my house.
Who is having a party?I glance around at the houses. Most of my neighbors are too old to have people over this late. It’s only nine o’clock but I bet a lot of them are already in bed.
I pull my Honda into my spot beside Lily’s Volkswagen SUV, and cut the engine.
I sit there for a few moments, my heartbeat throbbing in my temple. I need a long shower to wash away the stench of perfumes, withno oneto bother me. Especially not Lily. She’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, but…
She’s too much.
“Georgia!” Knuckles rap on the window of my car. “Come on! You’re late!”
Late for what?
I squeeze my eyes shut and let out a sigh, willing Lily away. “I just need a minute,” I croak, pulling up my blonde hair into a ponytail. “It’s been a day.”
“I’ve been calling you like a hundred times,” Lily says, her hand popping open my door.
Ugh. I hate automatic unlocking doors.
“Come on,” she reaches in and grabs my arm, nearly dragging me out of the car. I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder, already wishing I had gone anywhere but home. “I have something for you.”
“I really just?—”
“You’re going to love it!” She looks back at me, wiggling her dark brows beneath her dark bangs.
“What am I going to love?” I ask, my tone flat as she continues to damn near drag me down the sidewalk to the front porch. “And what are all these cars doing here?” My eyes jump to a black Mercedes parked right out front.
That iswaytoo nice to be in this neighborhood.
Lily tugs on my arm, and I turn back to her, nearly tripping on the step up to the porch. The main door is closed, not just the storm door. It’s unusual and it’s enough to trigger my spidey-senses.
This is not good.
As soon as the door opens, I realize I’m spot on. The lights are completely off, and so I reach for the main switch with my heart in my throat, flipping it on.
