Page 19 of Scary In Love
There isn’t time to get into that conversation right now, but his casual observation has my heart racing. Mason’s eyes dip to my mouth, then back up again. We’re clearly both thinking about something dirty.
“I know you need to go to work, but I wanted to ask you something.”
Ask me out.
Ask me out.
Ask me out.
“I have your number from your first aid paperwork, but I can’t use it for non-work purposes without your permission.”
A thin squeak escapes my lips as I fight the biggest smile. “And what would those non-work purposes be?”
He taps my cup with his, stepping closer, crowding my body with his. “Maybe I’m not content with ten minutes of flirting over morning coffee.”
“Oh, we’re flirting, are we?”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to assume your intentions, but I most definitely am.”
“Then yes, you can use my number.”
“Great,” he says, stepping back. “And I’ll see you tomorrow night in the Tavern.”
11
Jenna
Mumleapsthreefeetin the air, then buries her face against my back, pushing me away from two haunt actors intent on showing us their collection of dead pets.
I’d be inclined to stop and chat about them if Mum wasn’t crushing the bones in my hand. She screams in my ear when another actor leaps out in front of us, dangling some sort of rodent. She shoves me so hard we almost tumble to the floor, but I catch myself on the door handle and twist it open.
There’s never any way of knowing whether you’re headed for safety or worse horrors, but when we burst through it we find ourselves in the Tavern. It’s a stark change from what we’ve just been through, bustling with people calming their nerves with a drink.
“Is it over?” Mum says, her hands and face pressed to a wall like it’s the thing that will save her. “Please tell me it’s over.”
I’m briefly disappointed, until Mason catches my eye from his spot behind the bar. His whole face lights up, and I feel mine do the same.
“Yeah, Mum. It’s over.”
“Thank God you know all about intimate hygiene care for old women, I think I’m going to pee my pants.”
I pull my focus away to check on her, fixing my skirt and my hair while my back is turned. Who knows what state I’m in after her manhandling me all night.
“You’re not old,” I tell her.
She is a scaredy-cat, though, and I knew she’d be the perfect companion for my second visit. These things are always better when you go with someone who thinks it’s all real. Their fear and adrenaline feed mine, even if the setting isn’t doing much for me.
That’s not the case in the Miller house though. Every room was different from the last, and I found myself getting more and more invested in the story as the family made us play their spooky games.
I’m about to turn around when something pulls me backwards, and I look down to see the head of Mason’s axe hooked over my shoulder.
“Miss Laing,” he sing-songs in character, close to my ear. “How wonderful of you to visit us again. And I see you’ve brought your friend from work.”
His voice makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end, but not because I’m afraid. I duck free of his hold and try to keep my composure as I gaze up at him. He’s as hot in costume as I remember, which isn’t helping me play it cool.
“Friend from work?” Mum scoffs. “I’m her mum.”
“Mason, this is Amanda. Mum, this is Mason.” I wave back and forth between them, and he offers her his hand. “Mum is also my boss, sotechnicallystill a friend from work.”
