Page 47 of Deadly Forever

“Oh, that was a really good answer,” Mandy cooed, leaning forward so she could kiss his cheek.

“I thought so, too,” James teased, cupping the back of her head. “I’ll bet you would’ve made the prettiest prom date ever, though.”

“Oh, I’m going to puke so hard,” Grady muttered, causing Darcy to giggle.

“Anyway, after a few minutes I realized Serafina was nothing like my wife,” James said, dragging his eyes away from Mandy’s pretty face. “She seemed chatty and honest, though. She said that no one cared that the boys were rumored to sell drugs and that she didn’t believe Darcy at first, but now she’s not sure what she believes.”

Darcy jolted. “She said she believes me now?”

“She said that what happened at the mall made her question everything about the boys,” James replied. “She was very talkative and friendly until … well … until a guidance counselor showed up. Then she wouldn’t speak at all and she appeared frightened.”

“Mr. Kaspar,” Darcy said, bobbing her head. “Everyone hates him.”

“He introduced himself and then basically kicked us off the premises,” James said. “He seemed … angry.”

“He’s not a nice man,” Darcy said. “He’s also kind of a pervert.”

James stilled. “A pervert? What do you mean?”

“Does he sleep with the students?” Ally asked, horrified.

“I don’t know of any specific student he’s slept with, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t try if he thought there was a chance,” Darcy answered. “He always looked down everyone’s shirts when he could and carried a ruler around so he could measure girls’ skirts. He always managed to touch us when he was doing it, too.”

“Well, I already don’t like him,” Mandy muttered.

“That makes two of us, baby,” James said, resting his hand on her shoulder. “Did he ever hit on you?”

“He hit on everyone as far as I know,” Darcy answered. “He also spent a lot of time with some of the boys. I always thought it was because his son was in our class, but now that you mention it, everything he did was weird.”

“Well, I definitely want to run a background check on him,” James said. “There’s something off about him. I felt it the second we met. If he does have ties to the dead boys, well, so much the better. I need information before I approach him again, though.”

“That sounds like a plan,” Mandy said, wiping off her hands. “While you’re doing that, we’re taking Darcy to the mall.”

James’ eyebrows flew up his forehead. “You’re going back to the mall? I didn’t think it was even open again.”

“Not that mall,” Mandy replied. “We’re going to the outdoor mall on Hall Road. Darcy wants to shop for college this fall and we need a few things for the bachelorette party.”

“That reminds me,” Grady said, leaning forward. “I know you guys said no strippers for the bachelor party, but what if the stripper doesn’t get totally naked?”

“Then she doesn’t sound like much of a stripper,” Ally said.

“No strippers,” Mandy said, shaking her head. “James can only see me naked for the rest of our lives. I even cover his eyes when we watch dirty movies.”

James snickered. She did nothing of the sort, but it made a cute visual. “I’m fine with the ‘no stripper’ rule. What are you getting for the bachelorette party?”

“Just some tiaras and feather boas,” Ally replied. “It won’t take us long.”

The women were blasé, but James wasn’t convinced. “Are you sure about this? If you want someone to go with you … .”

“We’re big girls,” Mandy said, patting his arm. “We’ll be okay. We can go to the mall without babysitters. It’s not even the same mall. I promise we’ll be okay.”

“You’re my big girl,” James said, pulling her close. “If you need me for any reason, don’t hesitate to call.” He pressed a firm kiss to her mouth and caused Darcy to sigh.

“I definitely want one of him when I grow up,” Darcy said.

“Would you settle for a guy who still lives in his mother’s basement?” Maverick asked hopefully.

Instead of laughing, Darcy merely smiled. “Never say never.”