I shifted, smearing my blood on the stone, heart pounding as she laughed with a customer, her innocence shining.
She’s mine.
But the voice called back to me, “LIAR.”
Sage
After the incident at the shop, I was relieved when Cedric arrived, and I could finally leave. The whole conversation with Rhodes kept looping in my mind, even after I flopped onto my bed in my plant pants and closed my eyes, leaving Ellis alone in the living room watching TV.
Tequila and plant pants were my secret remedy for everything bad in life. Ellis had given me the stink eye when I immediately poured myself a shot when I walked in the door, but luckily, he kept his mouth shut. Sure, I was day-drinking, but shit had been going down. I deserved it.
Maggie and Levi had never been given details about my previous placement or my biological parents. That was always what they told me. No part of me would ever think they’d have lied to me, even for my own good. Maybe I would ask about it tonight when I went to book club.
My phone buzzed with a text from Rhodes. Alan was the one who tried to grab me? What a creep. My fingers hesitated over the screen, wanting to text him back. That was the other part of the equation, along with this whole gas-station-flower-stalkersituation. Rhodes and the ex-wife drama were crowding my thoughts. I liked him, but it was a good decision to slow things back down.
His next text came through. The greenhouses were tempting, and the thought of seeing him and Opal was even more of a lure, but I could work with the excuse of the greenhouses. Maybe that would provide me enough focus so I wouldn’t be too blinded by all the hotness that was Rhodes.
I texted back.
Maybe
Aloof. That would be me. I’d feel the situation out with him, and we’d have dates before I convinced myself that I was falling in love. The last thing I needed was a repeat of the past. Letting myself relax for a while, I scrolled through socials and played a game on my phone before finishing the last two chapters we were going to discuss today. Lila was a stickler for people staying on top of their reading, and while most people could fake it, she always could tell when I was lying.
Flinging myself off the bed, I got dressed for book club with a sigh. If I didn’t show up, everyone would have a fit, and Ellis was going to ask Phiny out, which was going to be a shitshow. I needed a laugh, so I was looking forward to it.
I needed this book club night more than ever. A chaotic escape with my family and friends to have a break from all the drama with no brooding ex-military types or creepy notes involved.
Well, almost. Ellis loomed behind me like a scarred shadow, his man bun and glacial stare making him stick out in our quaint town like a sore thumb. "Ready?" he grunted, scanning the streetas if expecting ninjas to pop out around from a corner or drop from a tree.
I rolled my eyes, adjusting my tote bag with my copy ofA Curious Beginninginside. "It's book club, Ellis, not a stakeout. But yeah, let's go. Chapter & Crumb is just that way. Let’s walk.”
“We could drive.” He scanned the area again. “And I know where it is,” he grumped.
“You can walk with me, or you can run back to Rhodes.” I started down the street with purpose.
He nodded and fell into step beside me, even if he gave what could only be called a very grumpy look. Fortunately, he didn’t open his mouth or argue with me about my plan. Instead, he did whatever bodyguards do. I wouldn’t admit it, but his presence was a comfort after everything. I was glad to have him there.
Outside Lila’s cozy little store, a sidewalk sign read ‘Book Club Night’ in all caps. The place was already buzzing, and the windows were a little fogged up from all the people inside. Fairy lights were strung over the windows, blinking on and off around brightly colored origami butterflies that I knew Mia had made last week. They danced on the transparent monofilaments that Mia had taped under the window frame, so they seemed to float in the display. So extra, but so awesome.
Pushing open the door, I was immediately hit by the chaos of the chatter and the laughter. I always felt better when I was in Chapter & Crumb. What Lila had built here always made my heart happy. Not only did it always smell good, but there were books (and snacks).
A few people waved when I came in, but Ellis was catching glances already. He didn’t really blend, but he seemed unbothered.
Maggie was already here with a few of her friends, including Janice and Marge, who had their heads together and were sure to be chatting about some hot gossip. I was hoping to get her alone to ask her a few burning questions, but it would be tricky with that group.
“Sage! Finally!” Lila called from behind the counter, her best-friend radar pinging. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t come over earlier.” She had a line stacked four deep, and her eyebrows furrowed as they moved from me to Ellis, but she leaned around, waving to Mia to help her.
I joined the line. “Come on, we need food. I might as well feed you if you’re following me around.” Ellis grunted as he moved closer, glaring at poor Earl Jenkins like he was the next great threat in town.
I could see the back of Hattie’s hair where she was wrapped in Kipp’s arms, hidden among the stacks on the bookstore side. If they weren’t careful, they could be exposed any second, and if I wasn’t mistaken, Kipp’s hands weren’t exactly being PG right now.
“This place is nuts, but the food looks amazing.” Ellis was already looking hungrily at the case, and I refused to be sorry that we hadn’t eaten dinner.
“Everything here is super good. Be prepared to get shit for not reading the book,” I warned.
“That’s fine.” His shoulder gave a half-shrug, as if he wasn’t even going to put in the full effort for that. Yeah, couldn’t wait to see Phiny shut that down.
We edged up to the counter just as Lila was taking off her apron. She’d outdone herself with her costume today, which was a full Victorian gown. Very Bridgerton looking, but she had little butterflies in her hair, which was done up in swirls.
