Page 91 of Sugar Coated Secrets

“You or the old man?”

“Both.”

I'm not sure who attacked you, Dulce. But I’m trying, as for the old man…it could be a message. Something overlooked. Whoever did it will do everything in their power to keep it buried.”

“I think you should leave it. It doesn’t change what happened. I don’t want people to die because of it.”

“I can’t,” I admit.

I can't tell her what I’m capable of. I’m sure whoever it is knows I’m sniffing around.

“I don’t want my grandmother to know,” she says quietly. “And I don’t want her to die knowing I lied to her.”

Her grandmother. The picture. She wants her to go peacefully.

“Then we tell her something else,”

“Like?” she asks.

“That we’re together. That we’re dating.”

“That’s lying on top of lying.”

I give her my best smile. “It doesn’t have to be.”

“You don’t have?—”

“I want to.” I interject. “I want to go out on dates with you. I want to spend time with you. It will make her happy, and I’m hoping…it will make you happy.”

I’ve wanted you since forever, but I can’t tell her that. It would confuse her. Scare her.

“What would Summer think?” she asks, fidgeting with a piece of her hair. I can sense jealousy in her tone.

I find her jealousy cute.

“I’m not with Summer, Dulce. I’m not interested in Summer. I asked her to come down so she could tell me about that night. She was at prom with Chris and Trent. I was taking her back to her car when I saw you drive off. I heard about Moody and knew where you went, so she jumped in mine.”

“Oh…”

My phone dings, cutting her off.

It’s an incoming text from Derek.

Derek: You need to make it here in two days.

I have to meet my sponsors at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

I clear my throat. “Could you come with me to Charlotte and stay overnight? I’ll pay Mary double her fee.”

She hesitates, opening and closing her mouth. “I don’t know.”

“I know it’s short notice, but it will be beneficial for your business.”

I want to take her to dinner. I want to spend time with her alone, away from Airy.

“If I leave, how will I make it to the event with all the food?”

“How many cakes and cookies can you make in two days? I’ll help.”

---