Page 176 of Trick or Stalk

Probably the masked version, but he’s still me.

She just doesn’t know that yet.

“Come on, Penny.” Her voice carries through the quiet.

She approaches the box cautiously.

Penny sniffs it.

Presley stares at it for several seconds, then picks it up and carries it inside.

The front door closes.

I move close enough to see through the living-room window.

Presley puts the box on the coffee table. Penny circles her feet, her eyes on the box.

Finally, she opens it... and freezes.

Then she pulls out the sweater.

Even from here, I can see her bright smile.

Fuck.

Something tightens beneath my ribs.

She holds it up for Penny. The dog starts jumping.

I bite back a laugh. “Of course you like it.”

Presley's voice is muffled through the glass.

She puts the sweater on her.

It's too fucking cute.

I hate that I just thought that.

Penny runs around the living room while Presley laughs.

And I realize I would've paid ten times what that stupid sweater cost just to hear that sound.

Then Presley reaches into the box again and pulls out the book.

Everything about her changes.

Her eyes widen. Her fingers trace the cover. Then she hugs it against her chest.

Jesus Christ.

I understand why people buy special editions now.

Her brows furrow as she looks at the note.

She unfolds and reads it, her smile dimming slightly.

Her gaze snaps toward the window.