Get bit so she could run away, that’s what.
I wrap my arms around the bag, picking it up because if I use the handle, it’ll break. And I’m not capable of coming back from that. We’d just have to sell Noah and Goldie’s house and get them a new one.
I’d have to be like,Sorry, guys, I needed to make an executive decision on short notice. Hope it works out.
I’m holding my breath as I make my way past the perp, still licking her paws like a fucking serial killer.
“Your Honor, she’s guilty as charged,” I breathe out before holding my breath again.
Evie follows me out of the room, glancing down at Princess too. “Yeah. It’s the electric chair for you. No final meal.”
She runs past me to the back door off the side of the kitchen, opening that one, too, as I walk as fast as humanly possible, seeing as I’m going to need to take a breath soon. But my feet don’t fail me as I hustle through it and directly to the outside garbage cans.
The sunlight almost blinds me since the house is so buttoned up, making me squeeze my eyes closed for a second.
Evie must think I’m waiting on her because she breathes outOh shit, sorrybefore running toward me and lifting the lid to the garbage can so I can toss the bag inside.
I’m still blinking when I toss it in and shiver.Fucking gross.
The moment she drops the lid, I suck in air, finally breathing again, and she smiles.
“We have got to stop trauma bonding,” she teases, nudging me, but I give her a deadpan look before I laugh and take my gloves off, tossing them in the trash.
There’s no reason for me to glance around, but I do.
She doesn’t seem to notice, following suit and removing her gloves too. I run my hands through my hair and push my goggles to the top of my head.
“I’ll make you a deal. Feel free to never call me for anything ever again. I’m done. You’re too high maintenance. I gotta tap out now. I don’t care how beautiful you are. I won’t be bought by your impeccable face card.”
She giggles, and I smirk, loving how she’s letting me flirt with her, even though we’re back to being just friends ... I remember the rules. I don’t like them, though.
“I really owe you one, though.”
It’s stupid, but I don’t like being out here, exposed, for some reason. I think I’m just weirded out by the rat. But still, without asking permission, my now bare hands fall to her waist before I turn her around.
Again, she doesn’t seem to notice my inner thoughts or my hands on her. And it’s the my-hands-on-her part that’s taking up space in my brain.
Maybe she’s oblivious because she’s too busy taking off her goggles. Or maybe it’s because my touch is natural ...
I’m staring at the back of her head and she’s talking. But all I want to say isWhy are you fighting this so much?
This thing that’s always been between us, and not just because of last night, because that wasn’t our first rodeo. It’s the kind of pull people can’t create.
“I cannot believe we have to sleep with a killer tonight,” she mutters as I guide her back toward the door. “Who knows what could happen to us. You know, I read about a woman whose face was actually eaten by her cats.”
I frown, closing the door behind us. “It’s a good thing there’s only one Peach in this house.”
I don’t say Princess because there’s two of those.
Evie walks out of my hands toward the kitchen, glancing back over her shoulder at me.
And that’s the moment it happens. I’m done. I’m not pretending anymore.
“Heads up,” she levels. “I’m never going back in that room again. And I’m not sleeping in Goldie’s bed, either, because I’m just as disgusted over what’s probably happened on that mattress too. So, it’s couch city for you.”
“No.”
She scowls, crossing her arms. “What do you mean no?”
