Page 16 of Death is My BFF

“Faith.”

“Do you paint, Faith?”

“How does everybody know I paint?” I said, exasperated.

Devin pointed at my hand with a raised eyebrow, drawing my attention down to my paint-stained fingertips. “You’re creative.

Headstrong. Ambitious, I bet.”

I looked up, held by those sapphire eyes. “What does that have to do with anything?”

He scanned my features. “How old are you?”

My mind immediately jumped to thinking Devin Star was hitting on me.You read way too many books and watch way too much TV.

“Eighteen.”

“Are you currently unemployed?”

“Technically, yes . . . I babysit and sign up for my town’s fairs.

We have a lot of them in Pleasant Valley.”Why am I telling him allthis?

“My son and I run an inner-city art program,” Devin explained.

“We’re always looking for young aspiring artists to counsel the kids.

Twenty-five dollars an hour. If, of course, you can get past the interview and an overview of your portfolio.”

“Did you say twenty-five dollars an hour?”

“Art school is expensive, is it not?”

“I never said I was applying to art schools—”

“Aren’t you?”

“Well, yes, I—”

“Wonderful, then it’s settled,” Devin said, flashing his famed smile. “I’ll have an associate retrieve your car to be fixed free of charge, and I’ll call a chauffeur to pick you up to ensure you both get home safely.”

I had no intention of doing any interviews or seeing David Star ever again, but his offer rendered me speechless.

“I hope we didn’t hit a deer! I love deer!” Marcy wailed. “They’re so cute! They don’t do anything but eat grass and be cute! I’m never drinking again! Not even root beer!”

As soon as she started belting out a melancholy rendition of

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” I turned away.

After the strangest night of my life and with Marcy’s drunken state, I needed to get us both home safe.

“Do you want me to stay until my driver comes?” Devin inquired.

“We’ll take an Uber,” I answered. “Thank you though. We’ll be fine.”

“Do I have your word you won’t mention my name or this accident to anyone?”

I shrugged passively. “Sure, whatever. I won’t tell anyone.”

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