Page 207 of Trick or Stalk

And oh, my heart. I can’t handle the cuteness.

“I wish I could. But Penny⁠—”

“What about Penny?”

I look over as Gracie steps beside Hades, a twinkle in her eyes. She has Walter tucked under one arm like a furry loaf of bread. Walter is wearing a pumpkin sweater.

“Such an adorable old man,” I say to him, reaching over and stroking his head.

“Why are we talking about Penny?” Gracie asks.

“We aren't.”

“Yes, we are.” Hades looks at me. “You were about to say something about her.”

“I was going to say I can’t go to the festival because of Penny.”

“I'll take her,” Gracie says immediately.

I blink.

“You don't even know why.”

“You're going on a date.”

I gape at her. “How do you know that?”

Gracie points at Hades. “He's here.” Then she points at me. “And you look like that. All blushing and bright-eyed.”

“Gracie.”

She laughs. “And look at you, trying to act like you’re not smiling.”

My cheeks are burning. “Would you stop?”

She pats Hades’s arm. “She needs to get out.”

“You’re a fine one to talk,” I murmur.

She blushes and looks away, like there’s something she’s not telling me. “We’re talking about your social life.” She shakes her head. “Or lack thereof.”

I put my hands on my hips. “Gracie, you’re the same age as me. And it’s not like you’re a social butterfly.”

She doesn’t meet my eyes.

There’s definitely something she’s not telling me.

Margaret walks past us. “Stop worrying about Gracie’s love life and worry about your own.”

“Thank you, Margaret.” My voice drips with sarcasm.

“You're welcome.”

“That was sarcasm.”

“I know.”

Gracie shifts Walter to her other arm. “So I'll take Penny.”