Page 99 of Trick or Stalk

I didn't have to steal it.

That shouldn't matter, but it does.

“She raised me,” Presley says. “Her and my grandfather, mostly.”

I don't ask why. Even though I really want to know.

But I know what it's like when family isn't something you want to explain to a stranger.

“My grandfather died a few years ago. So when Grandma got sick...” She shrugs. “There wasn't anyone else.”

“You took care of her.”

“Yeah.” Her gaze drops. “I took a break from school.”

“What were you studying?”

“English.”

I glance around us. “Shocking.”

“Shut up.”

I almost smile. “What do you plan to do with it?”

“I want to teach college.”

“A professor?”

“That's the plan.”

She looks different when she says it. Brighter. I like seeing her that way.

“Then you'll do it.”

Her eyes meet mine. “You don't even know me.”

“I know enough.” More than you realize.

Her expression softens again.

Fuck.

I look away.

Penny puts her paws against my leg. I reach down and scratch her head.

Presley laughs softly. “She's obsessed with you.”

My hand stills.

Obsessed.

If only she knew.

“Smart dog.”

“Cocky.”