A grim smile touched my lips when her eyes widened. She had no clue who I was or what I was capable of.
Meanwhile, I knew more about her than I cared to admit.
Frustration and loathing burned beneath my skin.
I pushed myself off the wall and stepped back.
Adjusted my cufflinks.
Tried to ease the relentless, pounding need in my chest.
“It’s time to return to the party.” Ice cooled my voice. “Shall we?”
We returned to the party in silence.
I didn’t take my eyes off her the rest of the night and told myself it was because I didn’t want a repeat of my earlier scare.
After all, I’d always been good at lying to myself.
STELLA
“Stella!I know you’re in there. Open up!”
Oh no.
I buried my face in my silk pillowcase, hoping the voice would go away, but knowing its owner, they would camp out in my hall until I inevitably had to leave for fresh air and food.
My morning visitor was nothing if not persistent.
“Stella Alonso! You can’t hide from me.” A pause, followed by a more conciliatory, “I have matcha.”
A groan escaped into my pillow.
I shouldn’t have put Jules on my list of approved visitors, but I also hadn’t expected her to beat down my door at…I raised my head and glanced at my digital clock…seven fifty-four in the morning.
Since she was already here and the chances of her leaving without answers were slim, I forced myself out of bed and into the living room.
I wish I’d had more time to prepare for human interaction. I hadn’t even gotten the chance to wash my face yet, much less meditate or practice my morning yoga.
I stifled a yawn as I swung open the door and blinked at the fuzzy purple-clad figure in front of me.
“It’s about time.” Jules stood in the hall, one hand planted on her hip and the other carrying a drinks tray from a nearby coffee shop. “Five more minutes and I would’ve broken down your door.”
“With your arm strength? Doubtful.”
I cracked a smile at her offended gasp. “Who are you and what have you done to Stella? She would never say something so hurtful.”