Page 151 of Instant Karma

The Offshore Theater is the only movie theater in town, and Ari hates driving to the big cinema off the interstate. Mostly because she hates driving anywhere outside Fortuna Beach.

“How about we go toilet paper the rescue center while they’re all at the party?” suggests Jude.

A smile twitches at the corners of my lips. “Thanks, guys. I appreciate you trying to cheer me up. But I don’t want to go to the center, and I don’t want to be anywhere near Main Street tonight.”

“So you’re just going to wallow in self-pity instead?” asks Ari. “Because I simply am not going to allow that. I know! How about a chick-flick marathon?”

Jude and I both groan.

Normally, I wouldn’t be opposed to this suggestion, but right now, the idea of watching beautiful people fall deeply in love makes me want to gag.

“Oh, comeon.It’ll help take your mind off… things.”

I’m saved from having to respond by the little bell jingling again.

Jude puts on his customer-service face. “Welcome to Ventures Vi—oh.”

I glance toward the door, and can’t keep in the groan that escapes me. I knew this day was going to get worse.

FORTY-FOUR

Morgan casts a curious look over the racks of albums as she makes her way to the counter. Without the cast, without the crutches.

Then she sees me and freezes.

Her eyes narrow.

My jaw tightens.

Ari shifts uncomfortably to the side so she isn’t standing in the icy gale between us.

“Er… can I help you?” says Jude.

Inhaling sharply, Morgan turns her attention to him. She’s wearing the yellow volunteer shirt from the center, and I can’t help but feel like she’s mocking me with it.

“I’m here to pick up a gift basket,” she says.

“Right. It’s over here.” Jude walks around the counter to where Dad left the basket. Morgan gives it a once-over, then nods and picks it up. “Thank you for your generosity.” Then her gaze shifts back to me. “But then, I guess you do owe us.”

My mouth dries. I’d been hoping that maybe Quint and Rosa wouldn’t spread gossip about me and the missing money, but clearly that was too much to ask.

“Excuseyou,” says Ari. “Prudence worked her butt off trying to help that center! You all oweher.”

Morgan scoffs. “Yeah. Sure. Just, a piece of advice? Keep a close eye on that cash register.”

Snarling, Jude grabs the gift basket out of her hands. She makes a startled noise.

“You know what?” he says. “We’ve changed our mind. Good luck with the auction.”

Morgan blinks—at him, at the basket—before shrugging. “Fine. It’s not that great of a prize, anyway.”

“No, hold on,” I say. “Jude, give it back to her. Like Dad said, the animals shouldn’t be punished just because I was blamed for something I didn’t do.”

Morgan faces me, her hands on her hips. “Oh yeah, I heard how you tried to deny it. Nice try, when you were literally caughtholding the money.”

“I didn’t take anything,” I say, working hard to keep my tone even. “I don’t know what happened to that money, but I don’t have it and I never did.”

“Uh-huh. You know what’s really sad about all this?” Morgan approaches the counter that divides us. “All the things you were doing, they were actually working. If you hadn’t stolen that money, the beach cleanup would have been one of the most successful one-day fundraisers we’ve ever had. You were actually making a difference for those animals. Too bad you had to go all ‘selfish human’ and ruin it.”

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