Issa: Oh, how romantic.
Carolina: Oh, I like that.
Zion: FFS.
Cami: Hey, you know there’s no secrets anymore.
Zion: As if there ever were.
Antoinette: Well, if all that is true, then I agree with Cami.
Issa: And I for one can attest to the appeal of a good hunt.
Carolina: Oh, yes. I remember that. Definitely a good plan.
Zion: And exactly what am I doing then?
Issa: Do you have a lot of open spaces that are also private?
Zion: Oh, yeah. Plenty.
Issa: Then strip down and have fun.
Cami: Make sure you do this far from the stables. Seamus doesn’t need to be scared for life.
Zion: Let me get this straight. You’re saying we should hunt each other and then do the deed?
Issa: No, dumbass. You should hunt her. And then claim her out in the open.
Carolina: *Melting emoji*
Antoinette: I’m totally writing this down.
I set my phone down for a moment, staring up at the ceiling as I ponder their plan. My body tightens at the thought, that white-hot inferno igniting in my chest, and I have to force myself to stop thinking about it.
Retrieving my phone, I send a final message.
Zion: Done.
I power my phone off, so I won’t have to be distracted by what I’m sure is going to be a million messages. Turning my body, I sit up and place my feet on the floor, leaning over onto my elbows as I contemplate how best to go about this. I look toward the bathroom, contemplating taking another shower and then reconsidering. Because at the end of this, I don’t want her to smell like aftershave or body wash.
I want her to smell like me.
NINETEEN
DEVIOUS BEGINNINGS
Vivian, Age 10
I’m not supposed to be here.
This thought runs on a continuous loop through my head as I continue deeper into the park. My heart pounds in my chest, my little feet moving forward even as my mind tells me to stop.
To turn around.
To run.
I walk for what feels like an eternity to my young mind until, finally, I come upon a fork in the road. I stop, glancing in both possible directions before noting a distinct glow to the left. Again, my brain balks, but my feet move forward, that faint glow becoming brighter and brighter until I’m standing in front of a golden orb.
