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“Hey,” I yell, but there’s no answer, despite the feeling of being watched that’s amped up.
Shuddering, I abandon my search for the phone and instead return to where Kas and Lila are probably still drinking tea.
I run the few feet to them, not bothering to knock before I open the door. They both turn to look at me with varying degrees of annoyance on their faces. However, as soon as Kas takes one look at me, he jumps to his feet.
“Sweets, are you okay?” he asks in a concerned tone.
Not taking my eyes off Lila, I answer, “I’m fine. I just wanted to tell Lila that her phone keeps ringing out there.” I point behind me, watching as her expression turns to confusion.
“My phone is here,” she says, lifting the shiny pink device from the table in front of her.
Frowning, I scrutinize her, wondering why she’s hiding the fact she must have a second phone. “Umm, okay.” I don’t know what else to say.
Standing up, Lila smooths her clothes before saying, “Oh, you know what, it must have been my spare phone.”
The lie falls so easily from her tongue that it’s almost laughable. If I hadn’t been watching her so intently, I might have believed her. But Lila has lied to me so many times that I know her tell. She always touches her clothes, brushing off imaginary lint or smoothing non-existent creases, before telling me a big fat whopper.
“It must have been,” I agree, before adding, “I didn’t peg you for someone who would use Green Day for their ringtone.”
Shrugging, Lila smiles. “Yeah, I’ve always been a fan of ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams’.”
Why is she lying about this?
“Well, we should get going,” I say to Kas. “Thank you for your hospitality, Lila. I promise I won’t come back.” Then I hold out my hand, giving her no choice but to take mine with her gloved hand. As soon as she does, I squeeze as hard as I can.
Even though I knew something was off about her wearing a glove, nothing could have prepared me for what I feel. Or rather, what I don’t feel. It’s not five fingers that close around mine, it’s four. The ring finger is missing.
My heart thumps loudly in my chest as my eyes fly up to hers, and I know she sees the burning question written all over my face.
“You’re welcome, Mia. Don’t forget what we talked about before. You’re never to come back to Serendipity. I have instructed security to call the police right away if you set foot in my establishment.” Although the words are cold, there’s a plea in her eyes that makes me think she’s trying to convey some kind of message to me.
“Lila!” Kas says in an exasperated tone.
Letting go of her hand, I simply say, “Understood.” Then I let go of her hand and follow Kas out of the creepy house.
