AB

ike I am walking on eggshell

even wors

, every glance from a cowo

bigger puzzle I'm only

en his voice cuts through t

lds, in my o

ent and my stomach does a little flip -nerves or annoyance,

office is immaculate, all dark wood and sleek fur

away, just flips through

ys, finally g

ke a lifeline. "Mr. Montero," I s

oo long, and I resist the urge to squi

control," I re

eyes narrowing slightly. "Tell me, Miss

of nowhere. I blink, cau

y, to people. What d

it's... earned," I say carefully. "It's not something yo

ion unreadable. "Inte

eavy and suffocating, unt

ike I've just stepped off a t

************

ng as I sit with Evelyn in the cafete

o have lunch with me. Thanks to me, I had A

of it, is that

stabbing her salad with a fork. "I swear, if I have

across from her feels like sitting a

" I say lightly, twirling my fork. "It's wor

eaking of, how's Andrew? Still

would

p my face neutral. "Oh, you k

r lips curving into a

in her facade. But Evelyn is a pro. She giv

tely. Have you noticed anything? Like, is there

that I know of. Maybe he's j

show. Instead, I laugh like it's

er it becomes that she is al

s damn go

*********

up on the couch when the

call, setting

Andrew stands there, ho

lashing that charming s

"Andrew, what ar

the flowers. "Thought I'd check in. How's wor

s my stomach twist

ing the flowers on the co

s narrowing slightly. "You'd tell

" I lie, my

. But every word, every glance, feels calculated. When h

amn interested i

e same with my pa

died and it

ges until I find what I'm looking for a note about my parents'

y I got back from school and I saw my dad talking

the deal hav

*********

et when I stay late to finish some reports. Most of the lights are off, and

k up when voices

ou have to," a

s coming from

ero, Jake's father snaps. "This is bigger than you,

teral

t pounding so loudly I'

his tone ice-cold. "I'm not letting you turn it into a war zone. I am

Victor fires back. "Do what

talking about, but every instinct screams that

he edge of the carpet. I stumble, and

voice

's th

me as foots