Page 281 of Trick or Stalk

A genuine smile curls my lips for the first time in three days. “You don't want to know.”

He considers that. “Actually, now I kind of do.”

“Leave.”

He laughs and walks toward the door.

I watch him go.

Then I look down at my phone.

Hades's name is still there.

I don't touch it.

Instead, I sit with everything Wilder gave me.

And for the first time since Halloween, I wonder if I'm ready to hear the rest.

CHAPTER 38

Presley

Two more days pass without me seeing Hades.

Apparently, when Wilder said I wouldn't see him again unless I wanted to, he meant it.

It’s been five days without him, and I’m slowly driving myself crazy.

I keep looking at our text messages. Staring at the trees, searching for a dark figure. Expecting to see him every time the bell jingles at the bookstore.

It's ridiculous.

I wanted space. Hades gave it to me.

Now I'm irritated that he's apparently better at giving me space than I am at taking it.

I stare at his name again on my phone.

Penny sits beside me on the couch, watching.

“I don’t know what to do, Penny.”

Her head tilts.

“I can’t take advice from you. You're biased.”

Her tail thumps.

“He bought you one sweater.”

Another thump.

“That’s all it takes, huh?”

She makes a whining sound.

I scratch behind her ears and look back at my phone.