Page 104 of Trick or Stalk

I pick up the stack of books and walk away before she can say anything else.

Unfortunately, putting distance between Margaret and me doesn't put any distance between Hades and my thoughts.

I keep thinking about lunch with him.

His eyes on me.

The way his mouth finally curved into a smile.

The rare flashes of humor beneath all that intensity.

The way he looked at me when I talked about Grandma.

And especially, the way he asked when he was going to see me again.

Not if.

When.

My stomach does an annoying little flip.

I shove a mystery novel onto the shelf harder than necessary. “Stop.”

A woman browsing two aisles over glances at me.

I smile awkwardly. “Sorry. Book wasn't cooperating.”

She nods slowly and turns away.

Great.

Two days on the job and a customer thinks I’m crazy for talking to myself.

I finish shelving the books and return to the counter.

My phone is tucked beneath it.

I absolutely do not check it.

I checked it eleven minutes ago.

My fingers wrap around it.

I look at the screen.

Nothing.

Which is fine. Hades and I didn't exchange numbers.

So there's literally no reason for him to text me.

I mean, how could he?

“I’m hopeless.”

Penny sighs from her bed.

“I know.”