Page 94 of The Broken Note

I’ve never seen it before.

I honestly don’t know how to interpret it.

“There is nothing in this world I’d rather do than spend today with you,” he says. And then he straightens and seems to remember we’re not alone. “And Vi.”

Viola snorts. “Nice save.”

I remain frozen, hesitating. Torn. If it were just me, I could take the chance. But it involves Vi. If my sister gets more embroiled with these guys…

“Comeon!” Viola jumps behind me and shoves me forward, dragging me to the door. “You’re going to have fun today even if it kills me, Cadey!”

I shudder at the declaration.

If Jarod Cross is to be believed, hanging around Dutch just might kill us both.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

CADENCE

I stare at the empty amusement park. Sunshine blazes over the colorful rides, lights blinking in welcome at a crowd of exactly three.

Me. Vi. Dutch.

“Where is everyone?” Vi wonders, pale fingers curling around the strap of her purse. “Is it closed?”

“To the public, yeah.”

My sister and I whip our heads around to stare at Dutch.

He sounds casual when he says, “I rented it.”

“Yourentedit?” I squeak.

“How much does that cost?” Viola coughs.

“Not as much as if we rented it for the afternoon,” Dutch says, looking annoyed. “But I couldn’t convince the owner. Not even after I threw in two VIP tickets to a Jarod Cross concert.”

He’s angry about the fact that he didn’t pay premium...

When I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that he could rent this place atanytime of the day.

“So there’s no one here? Not one person?”

“The operators are here,” Dutch says.

“But apart from that?” Vi is bouncing on the tips of her toes.

“Apart from that, it’s just us.”

“Just us?” Vi sounds like she took a deep drag of helium.

“No long waits. No crowds. You can do whatever you want.”

Vi pumps her fists. “This is the best day of my life!”

“Dutch, why would you—”

He places a finger to my lips.

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