Page 123 of Lethal Attraction

Emma keeps opening her mouth, then deciding against whatever she was about to say.

And Thalia—

Thalia won’t look at me.

Everyone seems to dissolve from their conversation at once as bodies scatter to get started on their own prep. Addison and Logan run into each other before the auburn-haired woman groans, plants a hand on her brother’s cheek, and shoves him away.

“Rude,” Logan snaps.

Addison makes a yapping motion with her hand, snapping her thumb to her fingers. “Learn to look down. Not everyone lives at the top of a fucking beanstalk.”

“Children,” Morgan warns from the sidelines with a stern tilt to her head. She presses a fist to Addison’s spine, straightening her posture before adjusting Logan’s collar.

“Mom,” Addison complains.

“I’m literally an assassin,” Logan deadpans.

“There’s nothing wrong with looking presentable,” the mother muses before licking her thumb and reaching out for her son.

Logan steps back, raising his hands. “I’m good.”

Ford, a tall, burly man who looks like he rips logs in half rather than using an ax, steps beside Morgan and wraps an arm around her waist. His smile tilts with amusement. “Your mother used to threaten people in designer heels.”

“Used to?” Morgan scoffs. “I still do.” She kicks up one leg, revealing the bright red bottom of her black heel.

The two exchange a deeply affectionate look before kissing each other, and their children give disgusted reactions.

“Yeah, I’m gonna go somewhere that isn’t here,” Logan mutters before retreating.

“I think I saw some bleach in the back. I’m gonna go wash my eyeballs,” Addison says dramatically, but doesn’t make a move to leave as her eyes find mine. The humor slips. It’s only for a second, but I catch it. “Everything good?” she asks casually.

Too casually. Then her gaze shifts to Thalia across the room, and it sends me on high alert.

There it is again.

That weird pause everyone keeps having.

The one that makes my skin crawl.

“Okay,” I drawl. “What is happening?”

“Nothing,” Taryn answers immediately.

“That was suspiciously fast.”

“Because nothing is happening.” My friend laughs nervously, her eyes widening at Addison as if to beg for help.

Addison rubs her face. “It’s really not a thing.”

“Taryn’s acting weird.” I say evenly.

My friend nearly chokes on her drink. “I’m acting normally.”

“You sound like a hostage.” I return with an are you kidding me look.

She hides her expression behind her beer as Emma avoids eye contact with me. Addison is also slinking off, creating distance before I can question her anymore.

I sigh, shaking my head before I notice my girl is finally alone and not surrounded by other assassins. I shove through the crowd, calling after her.