through my hair, staring at the tray, willing it to magically float into my hands. When I finally gave up on my nonexistent superpowers, I padded across the room, the hardwood cool on the bottoms of my bare feet. There was a handwritten note cushioned between two prongs of what looked like a placeholder.
Thought you might like breakfast in bed, since you missed actual breakfast.
Rose.
A small smile worked its way across my lips. I uncovered the plate and sighed at the same time my stomach growled. Blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, two strips of crispy bacon, and a side of ketchup. Eggs without ketchup were a crime in my house.
I could so get accustomed to all this five-star food that wasn’t cooked my moi. Rose was going to ruin me. Spoil me so much that my life before this would be dull in comparison, and I refused to let that happen.
Staring down at the plate of my favorite foods in a battle of wills, my belly and I both agreed that my act of rebellion could start tomorrow. I carried the tray to my bed, snuggled back under the covers, and dug in.
A quiet knock sounded just as I licked the last crumb off the fork. “It’s open,” I called.
Estelle peeked around the door, hazel eyes warm and sparkling. “You’re up.” Her envious auburn hair was swept up into a stylish, messy bun. When I attempted the style, it just looked like a bird’s nest.
I set the empty tray on the nightstand. “It’s late, huh?” Not everyone was on owl-time as I was. Mornings were difficult for me. Understatement. I was downright inoperable. Parker swore I was part firefly. I only came out at night, and that was when I shined.
Estelle grinned. “Depends on who you ask. If I didn’t have to work, I’d be sleeping too.”
I stifled a yawn. “Do you like working for Rose?” I asked, curious if Rose treated her employees well.
Her shoulders lifted in a one-sided shrug. “It pays. Actually, I’m really lucky to have this job. There aren’t a lot of opportunities available on an island this small. My father is acquainted with your grandma and helped me get the job.”
I was glad she was feeling more relaxed around me.
Soft freckles dusted either side of her nose. “It’s my second summer here. I’ve been saving to get off this blasted island. Go to college somewhere exciting, like Paris.”
I could see the stars in her eyes. Estelle had big dreams. “Who doesn’t want to see Paris?”
“Your dad is an artist, right? You seem so worldly.”
“Me? This is the first time I’ve ever been outside Chicago.” But unlike Estelle, I hadn’t wanted to escape.
She sat on the edge of the bed, one leg tucked underneath her. “Well, you would never guess it. You seem so sure of yourself. There’s this cool edge to you.”
“Trust me. I’m anything but cool. I choke around hot guys. I have more bad hair days than good. And I have a slew of insecurities.” Did I ever. Apparently, I could put on a good front. I had body images like every teenage girl. Mostly, I lived in fear of be alone. Forever.
Her smile brightened. “Thank God. I was beginning to think you weren’t human. Did you have a nice day yesterday at the boardwalk?”
I kind of liked the way her mind bounced from one topic to the next. It was refreshing. “Interesting.” I shifted on the oversized bed, sitting crossed-legged. “What do you know about Zane Hunter?”
Estelle stiffened, her eyes averting to her lap. “More than I care to. We grew up together.”
“You did?” I didn’t know why I was surprised. Of course all the locals knew each other, and maybe Estelle could dish on the goods. “Was he always a prick?”
If she was offended by my unfiltered mouth, she didn’t show it. “I’m guessing you had your first run in with Death Scythe?”
“Death Scythe?” I repeated.
“He’s lethal.”
“That he is,” I mumbled.
Estelle grinned. “A lively bunch, the Hunters. A word of warning, Zane is not boyfriend material. Don’t
Thought you might like breakfast in bed, since you missed actual breakfast.
Rose.
A small smile worked its way across my lips. I uncovered the plate and sighed at the same time my stomach growled. Blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, two strips of crispy bacon, and a side of ketchup. Eggs without ketchup were a crime in my house.
I could so get accustomed to all this five-star food that wasn’t cooked my moi. Rose was going to ruin me. Spoil me so much that my life before this would be dull in comparison, and I refused to let that happen.
Staring down at the plate of my favorite foods in a battle of wills, my belly and I both agreed that my act of rebellion could start tomorrow. I carried the tray to my bed, snuggled back under the covers, and dug in.
A quiet knock sounded just as I licked the last crumb off the fork. “It’s open,” I called.
Estelle peeked around the door, hazel eyes warm and sparkling. “You’re up.” Her envious auburn hair was swept up into a stylish, messy bun. When I attempted the style, it just looked like a bird’s nest.
I set the empty tray on the nightstand. “It’s late, huh?” Not everyone was on owl-time as I was. Mornings were difficult for me. Understatement. I was downright inoperable. Parker swore I was part firefly. I only came out at night, and that was when I shined.
Estelle grinned. “Depends on who you ask. If I didn’t have to work, I’d be sleeping too.”
I stifled a yawn. “Do you like working for Rose?” I asked, curious if Rose treated her employees well.
Her shoulders lifted in a one-sided shrug. “It pays. Actually, I’m really lucky to have this job. There aren’t a lot of opportunities available on an island this small. My father is acquainted with your grandma and helped me get the job.”
I was glad she was feeling more relaxed around me.
Soft freckles dusted either side of her nose. “It’s my second summer here. I’ve been saving to get off this blasted island. Go to college somewhere exciting, like Paris.”
I could see the stars in her eyes. Estelle had big dreams. “Who doesn’t want to see Paris?”
“Your dad is an artist, right? You seem so worldly.”
“Me? This is the first time I’ve ever been outside Chicago.” But unlike Estelle, I hadn’t wanted to escape.
She sat on the edge of the bed, one leg tucked underneath her. “Well, you would never guess it. You seem so sure of yourself. There’s this cool edge to you.”
“Trust me. I’m anything but cool. I choke around hot guys. I have more bad hair days than good. And I have a slew of insecurities.” Did I ever. Apparently, I could put on a good front. I had body images like every teenage girl. Mostly, I lived in fear of be alone. Forever.
Her smile brightened. “Thank God. I was beginning to think you weren’t human. Did you have a nice day yesterday at the boardwalk?”
I kind of liked the way her mind bounced from one topic to the next. It was refreshing. “Interesting.” I shifted on the oversized bed, sitting crossed-legged. “What do you know about Zane Hunter?”
Estelle stiffened, her eyes averting to her lap. “More than I care to. We grew up together.”
“You did?” I didn’t know why I was surprised. Of course all the locals knew each other, and maybe Estelle could dish on the goods. “Was he always a prick?”
If she was offended by my unfiltered mouth, she didn’t show it. “I’m guessing you had your first run in with Death Scythe?”
“Death Scythe?” I repeated.
“He’s lethal.”
“That he is,” I mumbled.
Estelle grinned. “A lively bunch, the Hunters. A word of warning, Zane is not boyfriend material. Don’t
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