Page 58 of Howling Night

“Wow, fancy,” she said, her eyes wide.

“It’s not real leather,” I said, shifting the car into reverse as she put on her seatbelt.

“Still, it’s like a new car,” she said, looking around. “And so clean.”

I followed her gaze. “I think Trevor detailed it when they fixed it. I don’t remember it looking this nice.”

We rode down the country road for several minutes in complete silence. She didn’t even look as we drove past the shell of my neighbor’s house. It seemed as though Courtney was distracted.

I drummed my fingers on the steering wheel for several seconds before I just couldn’t hold my question in any longer. “So, um, Kellan was at your house?”

“Yes, all night,” she said flatly. She didn’t know I knew she was lying. “He stops by to see Mason from time to time.”

“Oh,” I said, keeping my eyes fixed on the road. I didn’t want to pry, but curiosity was eating at me. Why would Kellan want to see Mason? Given what I knew about Kellan, the idea of him being anywhere close to a kid made me uncomfortable.

But I bit my tongue. I’d pissed Courtney off once before, and I didn’t intend to do it again. For all I knew, Kellan was just a family friend. Everyone in the area knew everyone. Maybe they’d gone to high school together or something.

“Are there a lot of shops in Birchwood Hollow?” I asked, glancing at her.

“Not a lot,” Courtney said, chewing a nail. “What are you looking for? Something casual or comfortable? Or maybe something?—”

“Ryder asked me out on a date,” I said, feeling the heat in my cheeks. “I accepted but told him I’m moving back to Chicago.”

Courtney’s mouth dropped open. “What? You’re leaving? Why? Oh, no! It’s been so nice having you down the road. Don’t you like it here?”

“I do, but I guess?—”

“You’re just homesick. This place will eventually feel like home.”

I shook my head. “It’s just not what I was looking for.”

“Well, that’s a real bummer,” she said, turning to the window. “I’m going to miss having you around, but why even bother going out with Ryder if you’re not going to stick around? Is he going to leave with you?”

I shook my head. “Oh, no. We don’t really know each other well enough for that kind of thing. We just sort of get along. I feel comfortable around him. We’re just going to enjoy the little time we have left together.”

“Well, that’s nice,” Courtney said, rubbing her palms together. “That means you’re looking for something sexy, right?”

“Courtney!”

“Well? Am I right?”

I winced. “Maybe.”

She held up her hands. “I get it. I really do. Those big, tall, muscular men just really have something that draws you to them, don’t they?”

“Is that what it is? I hadn’t noticed,” I said, pressing my lips together.

Courtney laughed. “Yeah, right!”

I steered us into the town, passing May’s diner and heading down the main street. There were tons of little shops — old brick buildings with matching awnings and hand-painted signs.

“You can park anywhere along here,” Courtney instructed, pointing to a row of angled parking spots in front of the shops. “Mona’s Boutique is right there on the corner, and if we can’t find something there, we could try the Dress Store or one of the others. I think Mona’s is the best place to start.”

I pulled into an empty spot and turned off the engine. The boutique had a pale blue storefront with a display window featuring mannequins in sleek dresses and what looked to be prom gowns.

As we walked down the sidewalk, Courtney’s phone dinged with a text notification. “One sec.” She pulled out her phone and smiled, her face immediately lighting up. “Awe!”

“What is it?” I asked.

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