Page 569 of Dark Love

This is a battle I’m not going to win, and we both know it. “His name is Max.”

“Why don’t you go invite him and his family right now.”

Though phrased like a question, it definitely wasn’t one.

“We wouldn’t want them to miss the sign and not come.” Mom pours salt into the brine for the chicken.

There must be some excuse I can come up with in the next ten seconds.

The doorbell rings.

A reprieve… even if it’s only for a few short minutes. I rush to the door. “Hope, what’s going on?”

“My grounding is over, and I thought we could work on my book today?”

That would certainly help me hide from my mother’s machinations.

“Who’s at the door?” Mom walks over in one of my aprons, wiping her hands on a towel.

Trouble. This is going to be trouble.

“Mom, this is Hope. Hope this is my mother, Eugenia. Hope lives a few doors down.”

“Hi.” Hope gives a friendly little wave.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Mother gives her a friendly smile. “Did you have plans with my daughter today?”

“Not exactly, but she’s been helping me write my book.”

Mom’s eyes move to mine, and I can feel the wheels turning in her head. This spells nothing but trouble for me.

Vex’s library has state-of-the-art security. She’ll never find me there.

Mom walks over and takes Hope’s arm. “Why don’t you come tell us all about your book while we cook?”

“I haven’t gotten very far into it. All I know so far is it’s about a girl who learns to slip through time and space. She’s trying to find a way to bring her mother back to life.”

Oh, Hope.

“But in each time that she saves her mother, the world becomes a nightmare.”

“That sounds like an interesting story. If there’s anyone that could help you, it’s Dahlia. She’s been writing books since she was a little girl.”

“Mom.”

“Well, you have been. You shouldn’t be hiding who you are.”

“Mom.”

“Go get one of your books and show it to Hope.”

“Wait, you’re an author?” Hope stares at me, and behind her Imogene does the same.

Why am I hiding it? Vex knows. If they don’t like my books, the world won’t end. “Yeah. If you open the bottom drawer over there, you’ll find one of my books.” Stress and fear flow through my body. Focus on something else.

Cookies. I need to finish this batch of cookies.

Vex isn’t going to be happy with me making cookies and brownies for the party. Can I sneak him some without my mother noticing?

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