Page 108 of One Spicy Summer

Maybe I just miss him.

"Time to head out. No spooky thoughts," I mutter.

Instead of taking the BMW i8 Coupe Rygaard swears ismine,even though I never actually get to drive it, I set off on foot.

It’s a decent walk into town, but I could use the exercise, plus, I want to visit my old friend at the Korean market.

AirPods in, I lose myself in the music. Song after song, every track a banger.

Eventually, I can’t help it, my feet start shuffling, my hips swaying.Michael Jackson’s “Somebody’s Watching Me” comes on, and I have to laugh at the irony.

But then… A chill creeps down my spine.

I freeze.

Pulling out one earbud, I glance over my shoulder.

Nothing.

No shadows.

No footsteps.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Still, I pocket the other earbud. Better safe than sorry. Head high, I walk briskly until the blessed sight of the old gas station comes into view.

I pick up the pace and push open the door.

"Welcome! Welcome! Come in, have a looksie around," Roman, the owner, calls from the back without looking up.

Smiling, I make a beeline for the ice cream cooler, mint chocolate chip, obviously, then snag a few cups of topokki and chicken noodles.

As I head toward the counter, the bell over the door jingles.

And that’s when I hear it. "Where is she?" That voice.

Keifer.

My hands go numb, ice cream and noodles crashing to the ground as fear roots me in place.

"Where is who?" Roman’s voice is calm.

"Don’t fucking play with me, Ro. I know she’s here. I followed her.”

Oh God.

I wasn’t imagining it.

Hewasfollowing me.

"I-I don’t know who you’re talking about, man. I didn’t see anyone come in. I was in the back, "

Smack! The sound of a slap, loud and sickening.

"Next time, it'll be a knife to your gut," Keifer growls.

There’s a scuffle, something crashing to the floor, then Roman’s voice, cold and lethal:

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