Page 282 of Trick or Stalk

Wilder's words have been circling my brain for two days.

He won't come to you unless you ask. And he needs to explain himself.

I don't know if I can forgive Hades. I don't know if I can trust him again.

I don't even know what the hell I want from him.

But I know what I don't want.

I don't want this to end with everything I know about him tangled together with everything I don't.

I need answers from him, not Wilder.

My thumb hovers over his name. “This doesn't mean I'm forgiving him.”

Penny yawns.

“Thank you for your support.”

I open our messages and exhale the nervous energy building inside me.

For five days, Hades hasn't crossed the line I drew between us.

So I do.

Me: Can we talk?

I stare at the message for a beat, then hit send.

The three dots appear almost immediately.

They disappear. Reappear. Then disappear again.

Despite everything, my lips twitch.

Apparently, I've finally found something that renders Hades speechless.

Then my phone buzzes.

Hades: Yes.

That's it.

No I've missed you.

No please.

No attempt to turn one text into permission for more than I offered.

Just yes.

I swallow hard, then respond.

Me: Tomorrow?

This time his answer comes immediately.

Hades: Whenever you want.