Nat leans forward. “I’ve always wanted to know… what’s that thing around your eyes?”
“Huh?”
“It’s dark and it makes your eyes stand out.”
I laugh. “You mean my eyeliner?”
“Is that what it is?”
“Yeah.”
“That outline’s been driving me insane. It makes it impossible to look away from you.”
“I started wearing it to seem more intimidating. Before, my makeup was so girly and none of the AMTs took me seriously.”
At the start of my career, I wanted to hold on to my love of lipsticks and blush, but it was difficult. Especially when men would judge me and dismiss me the moment I stepped into a room.
I changed to a more ‘tough’ and ‘edgy’ makeup look to send a signal that would be received before I ever opened my mouth and it worked, so I just kept on doing it.
“I like it. But then, I like everything about you,” Nat says.
“Flattery is agreatway to pass the inspection,” I tell him, my tone light and flirty.
He responds with a smile. “I’m being sincere, but I’ll keep that in mind when I need bonus points.”
I laugh and glance around. “What did your alarm pick up? I don’t see anything weird around your house?”
“Yeah, there’s nothing new except for that car parked on the street…”
At that moment, I see a pale, ghostly face appear outside Nat’s window and I let loose a scream. Nat jumps so high that his head smashes into the roof of the car.
He holds his head, wincing as he whirls around. When he sees the ghost, he lets out a quick shout of alarm.
And then he leans forward, nose almost pressed to the glass. “Renea?”
“Renea? As in your agent Renea?” I screech.
Before Nat can answer, I hear a firmtap, tap, tapbehind me.
I twist my head around and another scream gets trapped in my throat.
A pair of familiar brown eyes glare at me through the clear glass windows. Those are the eyes that everyone said looked exactly like mom’s with a more hazel tone while my dark brown eyes came straight from dad.
I cover my mouth with a hand, feeling like I’ve been sucked into something worse than a horror film.
My older brother is here in Lucky Falls.
Chapter Forty-Two
NATHAN
I’m thrilled to see my best friend standing outside my window, but when I look over at Riley, she’s shrinking into her seat.
Chris raps his knuckles against the window again and Riley cringes with every thud of the glass.
“Did you know Chris would be here?” Riley whispers, giving me a panicked look.
What is she so afraid of?
