Page 71 of In The Dark
Skyler looks Hunter up and down. She eyes the bag he’s holding and tips her head to the side. “Any bodies in there, Hunter?”
“Nah. I like to reserve the mutilations for Mondays and Tuesdays. Plus, I like this shirt.” He touches his collar and smiles. “Blood wouldn’t make it look as nice.”
“Who do you love the most in this world?”
“My mother. But not in an Oedipus way. A normal, healthy amount.”
“Have you ever killed an animal?”
“I ran over a squirrel with my bike once when I was ten, and I’m still distraught. I had a funeral for it and everything.” Hunter rubs his jaw. “I’m allergic to dogs, otherwise my roommate and I would have a plethora of canines in our house. There’s talk of a cat, though. But, no. No animal killings. I like them more than people.”
“Are you a coffee drinker?”
“I don’t trust people who aren’t.”
“Hey. I don’t drink coffee,” I interject, and he kisses my cheek.
“It’s your one and only flaw, angel.”
Skyler glances at me, doing her best to subtly mouthI like him, then turns her attention back to Hunter. “How do you feel about pole dancing?”
“I’ve watched some videos, and it requires strength I don’t have. I support the women—and men—who enjoy it. Wait a minute.” Hunter drums his fingers against my waist. “Do you know how to pole dance?”
“Very poorly.” I laugh. “Skyler teaches classes when Fright Nights isn’t going on, and for as many times as she’s given me pointers, I can’t figure out the logistics behind moving my body that way.”
“Don’t listen to her. She’s good,” Skyler says.
“I heard you were a dancer, so I brought you a little something.” Hunter unzips his backpack and holds a small box her way. “I hope you like it.”
“Is it a middle finger off the hand of an ex-boyfriend of mine?” she jokes, laughing when Hunter shrugs.
“Open it and find out.”
She pulls on the ribbon holding the box together, gasping when she sees what’s inside. “A gift card?”
“To a ballet shop in Orlando. I don’t know if they’ll have pole dancing stuff there, but Max mentioned you do all sorts of dancing.” Hunter smiles. “I haven’t had a chance to see your show at Fright Nights, but I hear it’s incredible.”
“This is… wow. Thank you, Hunter.” Skyler clutches the box to her chest. “Totally unnecessary, but very much appreciated.”
“Good.” He looks down at me. “I’m going to get started on the soup. I’ll be back in a few. Be nice when you two talk about me.”
With a kiss to my temple, he heads for the kitchen. When he disappears around a corner, Skyler grabs a pillow off the couch and screams into it.
“Oh my god. Are you okay?” I ask.
“That man is inlovewith you, and I’m so glad I get to see it. Let me literally kick my feet at the way he looks at you.”
“He isnot.”
“He so is, Max my darling, and what a wonderful thing because he’sgreat.”
“Do you really think so?” I sit beside her, feeling like we’re back in high school talking about our crushes. “I get butterflies when he’s around.”
“Yes, yes,yes. I can overlook the killing because he’s funny, Max. And genuinely sweet. But if he hurts you? I’ll have no problem retaliating.”
“I think so too.” I hug her and laugh. “I could absolutely fall in love with him. I know I’m going to. I just hope he doesn’t break my heart. I’m not sure I could take it.”
“He won’t. That’s aman, Max. And men know how to treat their women right.”
