Page 100 of Sinner

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Nothing. Just double checking the street.”

She moved to my side, peering out as well. “You’re looking for someone.”

Shrugging, I tried to fake it. “I just thought I saw someone standing outside. No big deal.”

Stephanie wasn’t the kind of woman to take no for an answer. She walked onto the lawn, which prompted me to follow. We stood side by side, scanning both sides of the street.

“Does this have anything to do with Xander? I know something is going on between the two of you. Games, right?”

“Uh, no, this isn’t a game. Why are you berating me about this?” I slowly turned my head toward where I thought my stalker was standing. From this angle, I had a much better picture of what I was looking at. Well, fuck.

The figure was an electric pole. Crap. I was too deep in the game and the shadows of my mind.

“I’m not berating you, but you’ve been acting very strangely lately. That worries me.”

“Stop it. I’m a big girl.” I didn’t give her a choice, turning and heading toward the house. Thankfully, she followed. After she popped inside, I closed and locked the door and her brow instantly furrowed.

“The reason I’m challenging you is because Xander was watching you all night long at the gala. I could tell by the look on his face he was very, um… hungry. That’s why I was hoping you’d call me and spill the dirt.” She smiled, but her eyes were darting back and forth across mine.

“There is no dirt.”

“Oh, come on,” she purred. “Am I interrupting something? Is he here?”

“Do you see a third vehicle in my driveway? I’m here alone.” I tossed the jacket on one of the chairs, touching my yellowing eye out of reflex. Thank God makeup had hidden the bruise for the most part. That and keeping my head down.

“What’s going on with your eye?” She took two long strides closer.

“It’s okay. Just an accident.”

I tried to look away, but she jumped in front of me, moving my hand. “Give me a break. Don’t bethatgirl. Did Xander do that to you?”

“No, of course not. He’s not like that.” I realized my answer was too aggressive. “He’s a nice guy.”

But was he?

“Holy shit. I thought so.”

“What does that mean?” I challenged.

“All this time you’ve acted like you hated Xander, but I saw the look the two of you gave each other. You were hot to trot. Both of you. It was like watching a lust-filled boxing match.”

“Very descriptive. How could you tell in masks?”

“Stop it. What happened to your eye, Jess? Who did this?” She wasn’t going to let this go.

“The jerk Xander forced away inside the ballroom followed me to the garage parking lot. He wasn’t very nice when I told him I didn’t want to come home with him.”

“Oh, my God. What a creeper.”

“Thankfully, Xander intervened.”

Stephanie’s mouth was slack. “Did you press charges against the guy?”

“No. Xander made certain the asshole wouldn’t bother me again.” How was I supposed to tell her Xander hadn’t actually given me the opportunity to call the police?

“How?”

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