Page 12 of One Last Wish

“Well, we’re at the midnight release ofSecret Assassin Fourtonight. The extra sleep was probably good for us.” Oh, I’d almost forgotten about that. “What’s the plan, anyway? Are we getting food first?”

“Yeah. Theo booked a table for us nearby at nine.” I really wasn’t planning on spending my entire time off with him, but it didn’t seem like I had much of a choice.

“I know I keep bringing this up, but what exactly is wrong with Theo? The guy dotes on you. I’d kill for someone like that.” I glared at her. “You don’t have to answer. It’s just you almostdiedtrying to get my phone back for me. Whether you like it or not, that’s whatfriendsdo.” When it happened, I thought Iwasgoing to die, but I wasalive. It had been a moment of weakness, thinking about the few ties I’d leave behind if I had fallen off that bridge.That bridge...whatdidEvelyn remember from that night? We’d hardly spoken about it.

“What do you remember of that night?”

“What? When I thought you’dfallen? I had nightmares fordays. I honestly thought I was going to find you splattered on the road below when I opened my eyes.”

“Did you see me start to fallforwards?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Alora. I thought I did, but I was drunk and it all happened so fucking fast!” Evelyn shuddered at the thought. “Why are you asking, anyway? Surely you must remember what happened.”

“All I remember was fallingtowardsthe road below. I closed my eyes for the impact and ended up on my back.” Evelyn was staring at me like what I’d just said was as crazy as it sounded. “I have no idea how I saved myself.”

“Fuck, you were lucky. You must have somehow righted yourself when you closed your eyes. Maybe it helped regain your balance or something.” I wanted to tell her about the force I felt, but couldn’t. With all the alcohol I’d drank that night, that part might not have even been real.

“Did you shut your eyes in panic?” What were the chances of Evelyn and I both being submerged in darkness. Could that be what saved me? Shadows?The thought was ridiculous. I’d been reading too many Shadow Daddy books!

“I can’t remember, but I might have blacked out. Alora, why do you care? You’re safe, which is all that matters. Stop torturing yourself.” She was right; I’d never work it out. “Quit avoiding the question about Theo. Are you scared to get close to anyone who cares about you?”

“I don’t doclose, Evelyn. I never have, not even with my father. The vulnerabilities it brings have always freaked me out. You can’t lose what you don’t have, and I’m too selfish to give a shit about who that might hurt. You’re wasting your time caring about me, and so is Theo.”

“Well, fuck me! That’s the most honest you’ve been with me in the two years I’ve known you.” She gave me a huge smile. “Have you ever considered therapy?” Evelyn joked. I rolled my eyes at her.

“Surprisingly, I tried that,” I snorted, leaning against the kitchen counter. “There is no connection with Theo, that’s all. I don’t really like the boy next door look, either. The way he follows me around like an obsessed puppy kind of pisses me off, too.”

“That’s partly my fault.” Evelyn held her hand up. “I’ll stop giving him advice.”

“How much advice have you been giving him?”

“Probably too much.”I fucking knew it!“I only wanted to see you happy. I thought you might be in denial. You know, like that bookTemptedwhen she was pushing him away because she didn’t think she was worthy of that prince's love.”

“I need to stop lending you my books!” I let out a loud laugh. “Trust me, Theo is not someone I’deverbe secretly craving.”The guy from last night however...

“Okay, I get it. I’ll back off helping Theo. Any chance I can get a coffee while you’re standing in the kitchen?” Giving her a look, I grabbed an extra cup.

I stood in line at Book Junkies excitedly. We’d been waiting for over a year for the latestSecret Assassinbook.

“You look like a child on Christmas morning,” Evelyn chuckled as the line moved again. “Why can you never be this excited in real life?”

“Books arewaymore interesting,” I muttered, watching Theo come back with some hot drinks for us. It was freaking cold tonight. I was glad I’d put a few extra layers on.

“I bet you’re a book sniffer, aren’t you?” Evelyn asked as Theo reached us, raising an eyebrow at her before darting his gaze to me. “I’m right, aren’t I?” she asked him.

“I’d never share that fact about Alora,” he teased, giving me a shy smile. This was the problem with Theo. He was way too sweet for me!

“Of course you wouldn’t,” she sighed, taking her drink from him. “And that, my dear Theo, is why you’ve been friend-zoned by her.”

He blushed, laughing away her comment as he handed me my drink. “I got them to put extra marshmallows in your hot chocolate.”Yep, definitely too sweet.

Another hour and we were near the top of the queue.

“You’re going to start reading this book the moment you get it, aren't you?” Theo asked once we were finally inside Book Junkies. The shop wasn’t anything like Bookends. It was the usual, contemporary-style bookshop. There was no flare or uniqueness.

“Why do you think I booked Monday off?” I pointed out.

“I was hoping you’d let me take you to lunch...” I was about to interrupt, but Theo continued. “As a friend! Look, I get it...you’re not interested...but I’m offering to buy you lunch. You’d be crazy to say no.” Evelyn was shaking her head, laughing behind him.

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