Page 78 of Prickly Romance

“Goodnight, Miss Williams.”

“Goodnight.” I slam the ‘end’ button and toss the phone face-down on the bed.

My sister cackles loudly and clutches her stomach.

I glare at her. “Really? You wanted me to tell him I’m single?” I emphasize the gesture for ‘single’. “He’s married.”

“Says who?” Yaya signs.

“Where do you think Niko comes from?” I argue. “Thin air?”

She signs, “They could be divorced.”

“And they could be together or it could be complicated or they could have an open relationship. Whatever it is, it’s none of my business.”

“If you really don’t care, then why not ask him?”

“Ask him yourself,” I counter.

“I’m not the one who likes him,” she signs.

“For the last time, I donotlike him.” My voice shakes and I’m glad, for once, that my sister can’t hear it. “Sazuki’s not my type. Even if he was, I can’t stand him. He’s rude and bossy and a know-it-all. Not to mention he’s grumpier than the Grinch.”

“You care too much. It’s all over your face,” she gestures.

“I don’t care at all.”

“Admit you have feelings for him,” Yaya insists.

“I’m not admitting that.”

“Then admit you want to…” She makes a circle and thrusts her finger through it.

I grab her hands and shove them down. “You better not do that in front of Niko tomorrow. If she starts signing about sex, her dad is going to kill me.”

“Killing is excessive.”

I freeze.

Yaya blinks innocently.

Chills run down my spine.

Please tell me that’s a ghost.

“And in all fairness, Miss Williams, I believe the Grinch would out-grump me any day.”

Oh, crud.

The voice is coming from my phone.

I inch forward and face the cell phone like it’s a possessed doll in a rocking chair.

Yaya watches me intently.

I’m trying my best not to throw up, but I don’t think I’ll be able to hold it in. Moving so slowly anyone would think I’d turned geriatric, I reach for the cell and turn it over.

“Ah!” I gasp when I see what’s on it.

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