Page 187 of Dare To Live

“Did I mention how cute you look in that hoodie?”

I tuck my cell away in my pocket. “It’s Eli’s.”

“You look better in it than he does.”

“In his clothes?” I take a sip of my coffee.

“I think you’d look just as good in mine.”

I almost choke on my drink. “Oh my god, Garrett.”

He chuckles. “Too much?”

“You should be careful. Eli will think you’re making moves on his girl if he hears you,” Bret warns.

Garrett cocks his head, studying my face. “Are you his girl, Arabella?”

“I guess that’s still up for debate. If you’ll excuse me, I better help with those decorations.”

Before either of them can comment further, I leave them in the cafeteria and make my way to the ballroom. There’s a hive of activity when I enter. People are hanging up silver and purple balloons, which I guess are the signature colors of the prom.

“Seriously, Linda, you asked her to help?”

I glance toward the disgusted voice. Maggie is standing next to Tina at a table. Her face is thinner than I remember. A cigarette is wedged between two of her fingers.

Linda doesn’t seem bothered by her sharp tone. “We were one short, with Lacy leaving.”

Maggie’s gaze swings my way. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Gray.”

“Where did you spring up from? You haven’t been here all week.”

“I arrived early this morning for the prom tonight.” She takes a drag from her cigarette and exhales a cloud of smoke. “I’ve been working, and really had no interest in spending a week stuck here.”

“You’re not supposed to smoke in here. Didn’t you see the sign on the door?”

She laughs. “Like I fucking care.”

“Oh, look, the bitch patrol is back together.” A familiar male voice says from behind me. “All you’re missing is the wicked witch of the west, but Lacy’s already left.”

“Still Arabella’s little puppy, Miles?” Maggie sneers.

An arm drops over my shoulders. I turn my head to smile up at him, relieved at his appearance.

“Jealous she has a real friend instead of all the fake ones you have?” Miles responds.

“Evan always said you were the weakest link.”

He stills. “What the fuck did you just say?”

“You shouldn’t mention him.” Linda snaps, her eyes cold and hard.

“Evan Ridley is a psycho. He murdered people.” The words spill out before I can stop them.

Maggie glares at me. “Maybe they had it coming.”

The arm Mile has over my shoulder drops away. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Cold fingers of suspicion crawl down my spine. “Were you helping him, Maggie?”

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