Page 3 of Trick or Stalk

She lets out a resigned sigh. “I just hate you being alone in that house.”

“I’m fine.” I get up from the porch and gesture to Penny, my faithful companion. She jumps up and patiently waits while I snap her leash onto her collar. “I’ll see you over Thanksgiving break.”

“I know.” I hear the clank of her spoon against a mug.

“Coffee thirty?”

She laughs. “Always.”

I step off the porch, pulling my sweater tighter around me. Penny is busy sniffing a newly fallen leaf, but she stops and looks at me. I nod, giving her the signal to begin our walk.

“Penny and I are establishing a routine. And I’m going to work at Bramble & Bean next week.”

She chokes.

“Don’t start.”

“Presley. You got fired from the coffee shop freshman year!”

“I’ve matured.”

“You blew up your grandma’s espresso machine.”

“One time. And that was eight years ago.” I shake my head, the breeze blowing my hair away from my face.

“Maybe you should try the bookstore. It’ll be safer.”

“Technically. But I could drop a stack of books on my foot⁠—”

“Stop. Don’t say it. You’ll jinx yourself.”

“I’m not even working there.”

“But your grandparents have a library in that house.”

“Whatever.”

“Plus, you’re going to end up working at The Crooked Spine.”

“They aren’t hiring.”

“Yet.”

“That’s ominous.”

Penny jumps over a pothole, alerting me to step over it. I’m so busy listening to Stella I’m not watching where I’m going.

It’s hard not to be distracted by her strange I just know things gut feelings.

“It’s optimism.”

I snort. “Coming from you? Ominous.”

“You don’t appreciate my talent.”

“Is that what you’re calling it?”

“Better than witchcraft.”