Page 76 of Exposé

I wrapped my fingers around the steering wheel and stared at the tree, my mind running a million miles.

That didn't seem normal.

My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I dug it out, pressing the green button without taking my eyes off the tree.

"Hello?"

"How did it go?"

"Aria?" I pulled the phone away and side-eyed the name.

"Who else would it be?"

"Wow."

"You know what I mean." She breathed into the phone. "So, how did it go?"

"He left." I paused, the two birds flying from the tree. "Do you know anything about bird behavior?"

15

Ava

Kids screamed as The Zipper turned them upside down with a jolt. Parents laughed with their arms crossed over their chests as they stood at the base of the ride, staring up at their children with macabre fascination.

The scent of hoppy beer descended on the large green field littered with monstrous oak trees, their gnarled branches reaching for the sky like skeletal fingertips. German food and beverage booths lined the area in a food court circle, allowing each patron to skip from one line to the next.

I shifted my chain purse strap over my shoulder and hugged it to my side as I stood in line for my IPA, my body on alert, my eyes scanning the crowd.

He'll be here.

The line shortened, and I stepped forward, my brown ankle-length boots keeping my ankles straight in the lumpy grass.

"Do you like horror movies?" His deep voice whispered in my ear. Fingers dug into my sides, causing me to whirl with a jump.

My heart skipped two beats as my eyes landed on his black aviators mirroring my reflection, my hand swiping his chest clad in soft white. "You scared the piss outta me."

He laughed, leaning away as I raised my hand for another whack, his blue-green plaid sleeves bunching at the shoulders. "I couldn't resist. It was too easy."

I hiked a brow and smirked. "Thanks a lot."

My eyes hit the green grass beneath my feet, his tight black jeans sitting snug over his muscular thighs.

How did he ooze sex appeal?

"Next."

I glanced around him and stepped up to the counter. "Zombie Hopocalypse, please. No head." I turned to Nate. "Do you want one?"

Nate tore his gaze from me and glanced at the list lining the side of the mobile cart. "Uh...Lemme try yourCreepy Crawler IPA."

The man grabbed two cups and poured our beers from the spout as I dug out my cash.

"Keep the change."

I jerked up.

Nate laid a bill on the counter and grabbed our two cups.

---