Page 18 of Rent Free

On her beautiful face was now a look of apprehension.

One that confused me.

To change moods that quickly spoke of guilt to me.

“You know Sage?” Maven’s lips curled.

“You do, too,” I said. “I’ve brought her in here multiple times.”

Maven’s eyes went to Pepper, then back to me. “I see.”

I felt like I wasn’t understanding what exactly was going on, but it didn’t matter.

I was glad I’d found out who she was before I’d pursued anything with her.

That would’ve been awkward as hell.

“Can I, uh… get you something?” Pepper asked.

I ignored her and directed my order toward Maven.

“A couple of peach scones,” I said. “They’re Sage’s favorite.”

Pepper snorted. “Sage can’t stand peach. She says it reminds her of a vagina when she eats it.”

My brows rose. “That’s what she orders every time she comes in here.”

“That’s probably because it’s your favorite, too,” Maven muttered underneath her breath.

I doubted it.

If I hated something, I certainly wouldn’t eat it just because someone else liked it.

I crossed my arms over my chest and said, “She likes them.”

Pepper shrugged. “Whatever.”

Maven patted Pepper on the back and went back into the kitchen, leaving the two of us alone.

I couldn’t stop myself from asking, “Where’d you get that scar?”

I shouldn’t care.

Honestly, the information that Sage had shared about her sister… it was eye opening and sickening.

But still… I cared.

I needed to know.

“Which version would you like?” she asked.

“The truth,” I shot back, knowing I wasn’t going to like what she was about to say.

“I don’t think you can handle the truth, officer,” she said as she boxed up my peach scones. “Not when you’re looking at me with hatred in your eyes for some imaginary transgression that my sister made up off the top of her head just so she could use you.”

I couldn’t stop myself from reaching forward and ringing the bell three times.

Goddammit.

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