Series: Webs We Weave Series by Krista Ritchie
Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 145038 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145038 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 483(@300wpm)
“Or I can just pay for it,” Jake offers.
“Or you could follow my lead. Every spider needs to stretch its legs,” he whispers furtively, his smile infectious. It draws me in and makes me want to be what he is, too. A spider. Devious. Cunning and shrewd. I’m grinning. He hops off the cart and practically glides around Jake, just to pluck white bunny ears off the highest shelf. He slips them on his own head. “I’ll give you tips and tricks—”
“Don’t corrupt him,” Rocky warns.
“I’m just bringing him into the fold.” Oliver perches against the shelf of egg-dyeing kits. Jake doesn’t shift to make room for him, so their shoulders brush, but Oliver isn’t one to be intimidated, ever. His smile softens on Jake. “It’s enticing. Our lives. You want to know all about us.”
Jake lifts his brows. “I’m not going to lie and say I don’t.”
Oliver gasps at me like a scandal has occurred. “He’s not going to lie.”
I snort. He grins, then tells Jake more seriously, “Don’t dig too deep. You might not like what you find.”
“Ominous,” I say to my brother. He wags his bunny ear at me.
Jake doesn’t seem afraid. He’s already bitten the forbidden fruit. There’s no going back anyway.
I check the price of a bunny-shaped night-light. Between its paws is a strawberry. Twenty bucks? Are they out of their minds?? It’s suddenly ripped right out of my loose grip, and I spin around.
“Rocky,” I accuse.
“I’ll buy it for you.” He’s half focused on me, half frustrated at his phone.
He’ll buy it for me? “I have the money.”
I’ve been able to form a meager savings. All because Hailey and I caved and let Jake waive our rent when he offered. Maybe we could’ve swung the cost, but not with how many unpaid days she’s taken.
Her time is better spent solving this mystery rather than being barked at by Katherine. We need her, but I also just need her to be healthy.
With Jake’s payout at the end of the job, money shouldn’t be much of an issue anymore anyway. It’s a little freeing. And do I feel bad that I couldn’t really hack it without returning to a con? Maybe…maybe not.
This is what I’m good at. At times, it’s even what I love. It’s like telling an Olympic swimmer to stay out of a pool.
“I know you have the money,” Rocky says, his eyes meeting mine like I’m your fucking boyfriend, Phebs. I can get this for you.
My heart flip-flops. I press my lips together. “Yeah, okay,” I say nonchalantly. “You can buy it.”
“Don’t sound so enthused.”
“Ohh, thank you so much, Rocky.” I flail against the shelf and put my hand to my forehead. “What would I ever do without you?” I stake a glare on him. “Better?”
“You’re such a—”
“Wonderful, kindhearted, gracious soul.”
“Drama queen.”
I scoff. “Take it back.”
He’s smirking now. “No.” He’s walking backward down the aisle with the night-light.
Oliver chucks a box of Cadbury Creme Eggs at him. “For the sweet tooth.”
He catches it. “Thanks, man.”
My smile fades into a deeper frown. “You’re leaving?” I call out, trying to mask my disappointment. You can go five seconds without him. He’s not gone forever.
“I have to,” Rocky says, then asks Jake, “You coming to poker night or not?”
Jake hesitates, his blue eyes lingering on Hailey. Like his main regret is leaving her behind. I want to ask—I need to ask about this. “Yeah, I’m coming,” Jake says. “Hailey?”
Her eyes slowly rise to his.
“I’ll catch up with you later?”
“Yeah.” She nods quicker. “For sure. We need to share notes on Treachery in Death.” Must be a book. Maybe for their book club?
Oliver is sifting through the groceries, checking the nutrition labels, and when Jake passes, my brother tells my fake boyfriend something in Dutch. But I can’t make out the words.
“I already told you,” Jake says, “I don’t know Dutch.”
“Look it up,” Oliver says breezily, but Hailey must know it. Her face is fire-engine red, and she’s suddenly very preoccupied with her phone.
I zero in on Rocky, but he’s not catching these signals. He’s checking the time on his watch.
Jake has an authoritative stride as he follows Rocky out, but Rocky is still walking backward, our eyes lassoed in a vise. His scarily attractive, confident gait has a way of pulling me in. No kiss or hug goodbye.
He’s going to buy me a strawberry bunny night-light.
He’s going to see me soon.
He better.
Because I can’t have anything happen to him either.
When he faces forward again, disappearing from sight, I intake a big breath, and then I see Oliver placing his bunny ears back on the shelf.
Hailey sees as well. “You’re leaving, too?” She frowns.
“I’ve also been beckoned to poker night with the boys.” He hugs me goodbye, then he squeezes Hailey in a bigger one. Her smile peeks out when he shakes her. Then he sets her on her feet.