Page 85 of Knot What I Expected

Why Gabriella sometimes looks over her shoulder when she thinks nobody notices.

I notice.

I notice every fucking thing about her.

And that’s becoming a problem.

A big one.

Matteo launches himself off the bench.

“Can I go play?”

Gabriella looks toward the playground. There isn't another soul around.

“Okay. But stay where I can see you.”

“Okay!”

He takes off.

“Matteo, don't go too far!”

“I won't!”

Gabby watches until he reaches the jungle gym. The boy scrambles up the ladder like he’s been released from prison.

Down the slide.

Back up.

Across the little bridge.

Monkey bars.

Down again.

I lean back against the picnic table and watch him. Twenty minutes pass. He doesn't slow down.

Jesus.

Definitely possible Shifter.

But something else nags at me.

The park is empty. Completely fucking empty. Middle of a weekday. Every kid in Ember Hollow should be in school. My gaze shifts to Gabriella.

“Why isn’t he in school?”

Her body goes still.

Fuck.

And that’s how I know that’s the wrong fucking question.

“What?”

“He’s what, six? Almost seven?” I ask. “Shouldn’t he be in school?”