To grow.
To become the flower she is meant to be.
And then we will rule, her and I.
But not yet. It is not yet time for my plan to come to fruition, and thus not yet time for me to step in. She can handle her demons all on her own for a little while longer.
My pretty little night flower.
Soon.
She will be mine.
Chapter Five
IT’S BEEN A SLICE.
Igroan as I splash through what feels like the hundredth puddle.
My shoes, despite being the kind that are supposed to be waterproof, are soaked through, and squish with every miserable step.
Ugh. What iswithMother Nature lately?
I’m starting to think she has a personal vendetta against me. And she’s in fullwill-smite-theemode.
Rain. Thunder. Lightning. Wind.
Thewholecursed ensemble.
Ithoughtmy day was going okay.
But nope. Never mind.
Clutching my messenger bag tight against my chest, I try to make myself a smaller target as gusts of wind threaten to knock me on my ass every time I move.
I bolt across the street as fast as I can with the elements raging against me and duck into a narrow alcove for shelter.
A drip of water falls from my head, splatting on my cheek followed by another. Perfect. I’m drenched. Again.
At least I had the forethought to wear a navy sweater this time. Way less see-through than yesterday’s wet T-shirt disaster. Too bad the thing now feels like it weighs fifteen pounds.
I blow wet strands of hair from my eyes and glance around, trying to get my bearings?—
And there it is.
Fangerella’s Pizza.
The bright light is a welcome sight in the gloom of the stormy night.
Right. Pizza.
Do I walk in soaked again for another round of cheesy heaven, or go home and make sad noodles?
I check my phone—no new messages, and it’s almost midnight.
Maybe,maybe, Casey actually listened and went out tonight. Meaning I wouldn’t have to share.
An entire pie to myself?
