Page 14 of All Bets Are Off

“Yes, it was a bitch move,” Tallulah agreed. “Like … the ultimate bitch move. Maybe she hasn’t given up.”

“Maybe.” I glanced around. The daiquiri bar was open to the street. Just anybody could walk up. “Maybe I should go.”

“And leave me with the serial killer?” Tallulah vehemently shook her head. “It’s not happening. You’re safe here. Biff over there will totally start taking off heads if it’s necessary.”

I glanced at the guard again. “Is his name really Biff?”

“I have no idea. It fits, though.”

“Totally.”

THIRTY MINUTES LATER, I’D FINISHED MYdaiquiri and had almost forgotten about our incoming guest. Almost, but not quite. My nerves were no longer fraying at the seams, however, so I took that as a good sign.

“Maybe he saw you and decided you look like too much work,” Tallulah said when I handed her my empty cup.

“That doesn’t actually make me feel better,” I said to her. “I mean … if a serial killer looks at you and says ‘way too much effort’, what does that say about me?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d like to be too much work for a serial killer. In fact…” She trailed off, something behind me catching her eye.

When I shifted, the first thing that swam into view were three tourists taking photos of themselves in front of the bar’s neon flamingos. Once they moved to the left, however, I saw exactly who had garnered Tallulah’s sudden reverence.

Zach Stone. The object of my teenage obsession. He stood on the sidewalk, phone in hand, and grinned when he saw me.

“It’s him?” I said dumbly.

“It kind of makes sense,” Tallulah offered. “He would’ve gotten your number from Rex.”

“Why, though?” That was the part I couldn’t wrap my head around. “I mean … seriously … why?”

“I think you’re about to find out.” Tallulah sat up straighter and grinned at Zach. “Well, well, well. Look who it is.”

Zach offered up a friendly smile for Tallulah’s benefit. “Hey. I remember you. I believe you and Shorty here were joined at the hip back in high school.”

“Some friendships never die,” Tallulah agreed. “Some are ride or die, too.”

“Which one do you guys have?” Zach asked, his eyes sparking with amusement.

“Both.” Tallulah tapped the counter as Zach sat down next to me. “What will it be?”

“What do you recommend?”

“A higher class of bar.”

Zach barked out a laugh. “I’ll take whatever she’s having.” He inclined his head toward my empty glass.

“Blue lemonade it is.” Tallulah bobbed her head and then disappeared toward the far end of the bar.

“How are you?” Zach asked as he looked me up and down. There was something intense about the way he was eyeing me, and it made me feel self-conscious.

“Unemployed,” I replied. It seemed like the easiest way to explain my unfortunate cargo capris and wrinkled black T-shirt. “How is the great Stone hope?”

Rather than laugh, Zach grimaced. “That’s kind of why I’m here.”

It was so not the reaction I was expecting from him. “How did you get my number?” I asked when Tallulah returned with drinks for both of us. The last thing I needed was another daiquiri, but my hands were desperate for something to hold on to.

“Where do you think?” Zach’s eyes crinkled at the corners and he took a sip. “Wow. This is complete sugar.”

“You don’t have to drink it,” I said.

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