Page 142 of The Glittering Edge

Penny’s chest is tight with barely restrained sobs, but she doesn’t know what to say. Because Naomi is right.

“You know, I…” Naomi’s breath catches on a sob. “I lost my virginity to Kyla this summer.”

And once again, the world turns on its head. “Naomi—”

“I tried to call you four times that night. You never returned one of them.” Naomi wipes her eyes. “I love your mom, too, you know. You’re not the only one who’s losing someone.”

Penny is crying, too. She has never been this tired and helpless in her life. “I know. I got so caught up in all of this. I just wanted things to be the way they were before.”

“When are you going to understand that’s impossible?” Naomi says. “You have to change. You have to letmechange. We can’t be kids forever, Penny!”

A car horn honks. Ron is in front of Meredith House, waving at them. “C’mon, Cinderellas! We gotta get home before I turn into a pumpkin.”

Naomi puts on a smile and waves, but she doesn’t wait for Penny as she walks back to the car.

So that’s it. They didn’t break the curse. The Barrions found them out. And now Penny has lost Naomi.

“Penny Anne?” Ron says. “You comin’?”

Penny swallows her emotions, and they land like a rock in her stomach. Then she gets in the car.

Cozy Mystery Book Club

AUGUST 10, 11:10 AM

Penny Emberly

Is everyone okay?

AUGUST 11, 3:00 PM

Hello?

AUGUST 12, 4:41 AM

Hello???

Please tell me if you’re okay.

Please.

AUGUST 12, 9:48 AM

CB

Corey Barrion

I’m okay. Sleeping a lot, and I’ve had a fever for a few days.

I’m sorry I texted so early. I haven’t been sleeping well.

CB

Corey Barrion

Nothing to be sorry for.

Alonso, is there anything else we can do?

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