Page 7 of Madness Blooms

She wilts into her seat for a moment before swiftly gathering her things and stuffing them back into her bag. I place the aspirin on my tongue and toss them back with water. Bunny’s gaze fixes on me, her eyes tracking the bobbing motion of my throat as I swallow, and a triumphant sense of giddiness and elation courses through me.

It won’t be long before she’s putty in my hands.

Our chitchat ebbs as we finish our meal, and eventually, she opens up about the weather. I coax more out of her, and we discuss local events and happenings in town. When I steer the conversation to music, she becomes much more engaged.

Thankfully, Andrea pops up just as Bunny is about to ramble endlessly about her alternative rock bands. “You two want anything else?”

“No thank you,” Bunny replies.

“I suppose that will be all.” I stick a hand in my pocket, pull out my wallet, and look up at Andrea. “You can put everything on one bill.”

Bunny’s mouth falls open. “Wait, what? N-no, that’s okay. You don’t have to?—”

I dismiss her protests with a wave and hand my preloaded, disposable card to Andrea. “Don’t worry about it, Grace. You’ve been such a good sport, taking the time to entertain the newcomer and all.”

“How sweet,” Andrea muses aloud, smiling at Bunny. “If you don’t date him, I will.”

We both laugh while Bunny squirms and bites her lip.

God, I love making her uncomfortable.

Andrea heads to the register while Bunny wrings her hands together. “I appreciate it, Luke,” she says. “Money’s been tight, and …” She trails off, her mind wandering elsewhere.

Opening her up was nearly effortless—and I didn’t even need a knife. She spills her guts to me so easily, and I can’t deny that I feel a bit disappointed because it wasn’t more of a challenge. But at least connecting to my object of obsession will be easier in the long run—thanks to Bunny’s proximity, her misplaced trust … And her blooming attraction.

“I told you not to worry about it,” I say as Andrea gives me a receipt.

Bunny finishes her juice and delicately wipes her mouth with a napkin. “Hey, um … I should probably get going,” she says, shouldering her bag. “I’m gonna go see a friend. Being at home right now’s a total bummer.”

I nod, knowing her reasoning; I had invaded her safe space, tainted her sanctuary. “Will you be okay? I could give you a ride.”

She shakes her head—a little too aggressively. “I think we’re even.” For now. “I don’t want to take advantage of your kindness. But yeah, it was fun hanging out with you.”

“Same.” I grab the pen Andrea left for me to sign the receipt and instead write the number for my burner phone at the top. “If you ever want to hang out again,” I say, tearing the section off and offering it to Bunny, “call me.”

Her face turns so red, I think she’s going to explode.

Sinker.

“I, uh …” She shoves the paper into her pants pocket. “Will do,” she says as she begins to shuffle away. “See you, Luke.”

I silently cackle as she practically sprints out of the diner.

Now, more than ever, I’m thankful I didn’tfinish the job.

Because, my dear Little Bunny, you really should have packed your shit and skipped town—because you have no idea what I have in store for you.

Chapter

Four

HER

My experience at the diner was nothing short of harrowing.

Luke Quinn—tall, blond, and blue-eyed with envy-worthy eyelashes—gave me his number. Even after seeing the weird stuff I scribbled in my journal last night. It’s hard to believe someone like him would be interested in someone like me. I don’t know what I did to deserve such luck, but maybe after today, I will seriously start believing in God.

For real this time.

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