Page 35 of When the Woods Go Silent

“I already do,” she answers, smiling back at the store, and I love hearing that she’s settling in better.

It doesn’t take long before we’re deep enough that the trail is shadowy and cooler, although it truly feels like a spring day otherwise. The forest floor has new green patches of moss, and we spot several early spring flowers and tendrils of baby ferns that don’t need much sun. I’d love to show Rose the fairy ring, but even I know that’s too far. And definitely not on the trail.

Instead, we stop in front of an otherworldly wall of rock formations to snap a few selfies, playing with the sunlight filtering through the trees.

“What’s that?” Rose asks suddenly, snagging my phone and zooming in on a blurry figure in the background, near the top of the rock wall. She turns and scans the rocks behind us, frowning and handing me the phone as it dings. “It looks like a person, but nobody’s up there.”

I squint at the photo, less certain. “I think it’s just weird lighting,” I say, opening a new text message. My chest floods with excitement as I read it.

Dinner tonight? Market is closed, but Arlo and I would love to have you to ourselves.

“Redemption is mine,” I crow, waving the phone at Rose.

“Damn,” Rose says, sounding impressed. “And here I was beginning to think he wasn’t real.”

“Shut up.” I smack her arm lightly, grinning like crazy. “We’re going, right?” Even though Torrence took his sweet time, I really, really want to meet up with him again.

“Don’t forgive him too easily. Make him work for it,” Rose warns, but she’s smiling, too.

“Oh, he’ll be on his knees working for it.” I cackle, typing out a quick reply.

“Good girl. That means we have to turn around now, though. Time to shower!”

I don’t argue - I’ve had Rose in the woods for at least forty-five minutes now, and she’s eating her pride for dinner, too. I know she thinks Arlo is a waste of time. “Thank you, Rosey.” I give her a quick sideways hug.

“Hey, no worries. I can still get something from Arlo, if he begs a little. Flings equal fun, right?”

“He said seven, so we have plenty of time,” I assure her, reading Torrence’s answer as we turn back. He seems eager enough to see me now. Guess he’s just been busy. My fingers cross as I dare to hope that this will be a great night and maybe another new beginning.

“Good, because you’re going to help me pick out an outfit. Maybe I’ll wear a skirt this time.”

Rose’s grin makes me happy, and I’m so glad she’s going to let herself enjoy this. Sometimes she’s so fast to dismiss a guy that she misses out on the possibility of anything more than a single night.

I know it’s how she keeps her heart safe, but sometimes a safety net can turn into ropes that only keep you tied up. And not in a fun way.

“So, if you want a skirt, it absolutelyhasto be this one.” I pull the slinky mermaid cut from its hanger in Rose’s closet, sliding my palm across the deep rose-colored silk. Freaking gorgeous.

“Isn’t that a little fancy?” Rose scrunches up her nose, even though she knows damn well that skirt makes her look amazing.

“Pair it with a simple sweater. Some ankle boots, maybe? Nothing strappy.” I rummage through her stuff, lamenting again that none of our clothes fit each other. I have the perfect boots for this, but my feet are two sizes smaller. Rose reaches past me and grabs a cream-colored sweater with a deep neckline. It has elbow-length sleeves and isn’t too heavy.

“Perfect,” she says, holding it against the skirt. “Maybe a little wintry, but it’s still not exactly summer out there.”

“How about these?” I ask, pulling out a pair of knee-high leather boots with a kitten heel.

“Sure. I’ll try it all on after I shower. What about you?”

I grin. “I’m wearing that new biker jacket I got in New York.” The only time any of us had left the conference, we’d gone shopping, and I’d caught an end-of-season sale on a gorgeous vegan leather jacket. I feel like such a badass in it - it’s the kind of look I’ve always loved but could never afford the right pieces for.

“And you better wear some heels,” Rose advises. “Like those platform boots with all the buckles.”

I hum in agreement, thinking about how tall Torrence is. I would definitely like to be a little closer to his face. Or a lot.

By six-thirty, we’re mostly ready. Standing side by side at the double sinks in my bathroom - because getting ready together is more fun - we apply the final touches to our makeup and hair.

“We are hot as fuck,” Rose announces, fluffing her ginger curls. She’s wearing some extra lash clusters at the outside corners of her eyes and lots of smoky eyeshadow. Her lips are pale pink, and she looks like a damn bombshell with all her cleavage and hips.

“Hell yes, we are,” I murmur, leaning into her and smiling at our reflections in the mirror. I actually have the look I’ve wanted for so long - dark, skintight jeans, an edgy, asymmetricalshirt with a wide neck, and the coolest jacket I’ve ever owned. I’ve painted my lips my signature ruby-red, and glints of silver earrings peek through my dark hair.

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