Page 283 of Trick or Stalk

My chest hurts. Of course he says that.

I think about asking him to come here. But I’m not ready for that. Not yet.

Me: Bramble & Bean. 6:00 pm?

His response appears seconds later.

Hades: I'll be there.

CHAPTER 39

Hades

I’ve typed six different responses to three fucking words.

I look at her text again.

Little Bookworm: Can we talk?

Of course.

Whenever you want.

I've missed you.

Please.

Tell me where and I'll be there.

I delete every one of them.

Presley asked if we could talk. That's all she offered.

So that's all I take.

Me: Yes.

Then she asks about tomorrow.

I tell her whenever she wants.

When Bramble & Bean and six o'clock appear on my screen, I stare at the message until Wilder looks over from the other side of the room.

“What?”

I put my phone face down. “Nothing.”

His eyebrows raise. “Bullshit.”

I don’t say anything for a few beats.

Finally, the words come out. “Presley wants to talk.”

He freezes.

Then a slow smile spreads across his face. “Holy shit.”

“Don't.”