“And you’re going to help.” Neve spread her hands across the table. I stared at her, clocking her jerky movements and dilated pupils. She was high on something.
“And why is that?” I snickered. By the looks of her, I could easily do some digging and find the original photos or videos and take care of them. I wouldn’t let her go to the police with what she knew. Neve smiled wide again, and I decided then that I would make it my mission to wipe it off her face permanently. But it was her words that pulled the smile from mine.
“Because I know that you’re in love with her. If you don’t help us, I’ll give Lumen the photos showing you killing her entire family.”
I glared at her.
“What do you propose exactly?”
Neve dug into her large bag and pulled out a mask. She offered it to me, and I took it gingerly, examining it.[ZM8]
“You’re gonna need this.”
Rule 4 - Lumen
MATCHING PJS ON THE FIRST DATE? RED FLAG.
The oven beeped, signaling that the next batch of cookies was done. I left the garland I’d been hanging up and went to the kitchen to remove the cookies and put another batch into the oven.
Billy had mentioned that he had no favorite cookie, so I was making him all sorts. I’d been following my favorite streamer, Witchful Drinking, all month long while she baked for the holidays. She and her boyfriends were so fun to watch, and she made following along with her recipes so easy. I plopped peanut butter cookie dough on a cool tray and slid it into the oven.
Returning to the living room, I glanced at the TV and smiled when a commercial announced that the A Christmas Story 24-hour marathon would begin soon. Which meant...
My doorbell rang, and my heart simultaneously sped up with excitement and terror. I hurried to the door and peered out the peephole. I breathed a sigh of relief as Billy’s face showed on the other side, slightly warped but smiling. I waited until my heart settled to put my hand on the doorknob and turn it to welcome him in.
“Merry Christmas Eve!” Billy shouted, startling me only slightly. He thrust a metal tin into my hands. “My mom made aChristmas Cake. She’s not much of a baker, but I promised I’d bring it.” He stepped inside, and I froze.
This was all happening so quickly. I stared with my mouth half open as Billy took his coat up and hung it on the rack. He stomped the snow off his boots, and every step caused me to jump. It was a lot of things all at once. He turned and smiled.
“You going to shut the door? It’s a bit cold.” He chuckled. I shut the door, locking it. I then unlocked it and locked it again. What was I doing? This wasn’t me. I hate the fearful person I’d become over the last year. I took Billy in and relaxed.
“Those are adorable.” I grinned, taking in his holiday pajamas.
“You like? Good, because I got you a matching pair.” He dug into his coat and pulled out a small red and green shimmery bag.
“You did?” I gasped, as I opened and found the matching teal PJs with snowflakes all over. “Oh, Billy, that’s so sweet! Thank you.” I went to hug him, but hesitated. There was a moment of awkwardness as we took in my fumble. I stepped back and looked to the floor. “Well, I should go change into these then.”
“Awesome.” He inhaled deeply just as my oven went off again. “Is that cookies I smell?”
“Yes!” Relief over the distraction of my awkwardness took over, and I hurried to the kitchen. Billy followed and exclaimed when he saw what I’d done in here.
“Wow! You did all this for tonight?”
I blushed as I took the last batch of cookies out of the oven and shut it off. “Yeah. I figured, go big or go home.”
“I am honored, Lumen. Truly.”
My heart soared. Maybe inviting a friend in wasn’t so bad. This was a step in the right direction. Suddenly, Billy’s phone started ringing and it brought me back from my thoughts. I lifted my bag.
“I’ll go change.”
Billy took out his phone and scrunched up his nose. “I’ll take this real quick.” He flashed the screen, and I saw the name NEVE pop up. My eyes widened, and I lost my breath.
I turned away quickly and ran to the bathroom.
No. It couldn’t be the same woman. Could it? No.
I tried to force the intrusive thoughts as I changed into the matching PJs. I returned to the kitchen and found Billy admiring the gingerbread village I’d made.
