Page 47 of The Invite
He thrives on making me surrender to his wickedness.
As though my reactions amuse him.
The first time is understandable since I ran before things could escalate.
But yesterday, he had the chance and the time and strength all in his favor. Still, he didn’t take things far. It certainly wasn’t because he had a change of heart or suddenly grew a conscience realizing what he was doing was wrong.
So what kind of game is he playing?
I swear the more I try to understand his actions, the more he confounds me.
Shutting him out of my head, I focus on Ace’s text. Is he about to ask me out on a date or does he want to meet for a friendly chat? I’m not interested in the former and I don’t want to lead him on.
He’s the single person I genuinely like in this town and I don’t want to risk losing him and being completely alone.
I will lose my mind.
ME: I have no plans. Why do you ask?
ACE: Want to have dinner together?
Shit. Does he mean like a date?
I start to panic.
ACE: As friends. Nothing more.
I read his text, wondering if he telepathically read my mind. Either way, my relief is swift.
However, I don’t want to leave the house and get ambushed by Augustus. If I’m here, I can keep an eye out, which means I only have one option, and it’s to invite Ace here. But how do I ask him without making it sound like I want him herefor more than a simple dinner? At times like this, I wish I wasn’t so socially awkward.
ME: Would you like to come to my place? I’m tired from moving and setting up my house all weekend and was thinking of having a quiet dinner.
ACE: Yeah, no problem. I’ll be there at 7 and we can order in.
ME: Cool. See you then.
He confirms with asmiling emoji and a thumbs-up.
Half an hour later, Hans pokes his head into the living room. “I’m all done, ma’am. Come andhave a look. I’ll show you how it works.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Closing my books and notepad, I walk to the front hall and I’m impressed with Hans’s quick and excellent work. He’s even cleaned the mess from the drill and other residue. The deadbolt shines with my reflection and I attentively listen to Hans give a demo. I practice once before him. Afterward, I pay him and bid him goodbye.
Since it’s two hours before Ace arrives, I decide to tidy up my house. I don’t have a whole lot of belongings like most people do, which hopefully Ace doesn’t notice.
This place came fully furnished, so whatever frames and decorations are from the previous owners.
Moving to the kitchen, I clean the dishes from lunch earlier. I let them dry near the sink before going upstairs and cleaning. In case I have to give a tour.
Once completing that, I rush into the bathroom for a quick shower. I wash my hair and scrub my body with my favorite bodywash. After a blow-dry, I pick a maroon tank topand black leggings for the evening. By the time I emerge from my bedroom, it’s ten minutes to seven.
Grabbing my phone from the couch, I check for any text from Ace and there is one from half an hour ago.
ACE: I’m on my way.
As I’m reading it, a notification pops up. It almost makes me drop my phone because it’s a DM from Augustus.
