Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 129986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Her big blue eyes widen. “Is it bad? I just made them this morning, they should be really fresh.”
I shake my head, chewing and swallowing the mouthful of deliciousness. “Will you marry me?”
Startled, she bursts into laughter.
I grin back, meeting her gaze. “No, I’m not kidding. If it means you will make these muffins for me all the time, I wanna lock you down.”
Delighted, she laughs again. “I’m glad you like them. I’ve never had them trigger a spontaneous proposal before.”
“Then you’re giving them to the wrong people,” I tell her. “I’m more of a cook than a baker myself, but I’m tempted to beg for your recipe so I can try to make these at home.”
“You can have it,” she says easily. “It was my mom’s recipe. I’ll type it up over the weekend. I can give it to you Monday morning when I get my lunch bag back.”
“You’re an angel on earth,” I tell her, looking over at the delicious assortment of fruit she’s given me, too. “What did you say your name was again?”
“Hannah.” Her kind blue eyes flash with something that resembles guilt and she looks down. “I’m actually Anae’s stepsister.”
My levity dissipates, distrust pouring back in.
Anae’s sister is giving me food?
I’ve already swallowed the first bite. I look down at the muffin, searching for what’s wrong with it. I don’t see anything obvious, like bugs or hair. “Did you put laxatives in it or something?”
“No,” she says quickly, shaking her head. “No, I would never do that.”
I meet her gaze levelly. “You’re Anae’s sister.”
“Stepsister,” she corrects, but still looks a little unhappy about it. “And as someone who lives with her, I can assure you, I know what a nightmare she can be.”
My guards are still up, but Hannah really does seem guileless.
I look down at the muffin. I’m still a little wary that she could have messed with it. Anae is Dare’s girlfriend and has been for a while. Maybe they do the same sorts of things. Dare has an army at his command and he deploys them to do errands for him. Perhaps Anae does, too, only her army is meaner.
I search the girl’s face, but I can’t find a single trace of malice. She seems really sweet, more concerned that I’ll think she must be bad and refuse to eat her lunch because she sincerely doesn’t want me to be hungry than because her older sister—or stepsister, whatever—sent her to torment me even more today.
It’s a hard call after all the aggravation, but I believe her.
Nodding to let her know, I say, “Well, I’m very sorry you have to live with her.”
Hannah cracks a smile. “It’s not the best.”
“I would still very much appreciate the muffin recipe.”
Her smile widens. “Of course.” Seeing I believe her, she opens her purse and pulls out a little bottle of spritzer and a small brush. “It’s the most ridiculous thing ever that they’re picking on you over some frizz, but do you want me to brush your hair out and braid it for you while you eat?”
I blink at her. “Seriously?”
She shrugs. “I can if you want. I promise I don’t have lice.”
“Um…”
Seeing my hesitation, she gestures for me to turn and climbs on her knees behind me. “I’m gonna do it. I’ve been wanting to practice this half-back waterfall style, anyway, and it’s really hard to practice on my own head.”
At first, it feels a little odd letting some girl I barely know do my hair, but as soon as her gentle fingers start working their way through my locks, my scalp tingles with pleasure and I realize how nice it feels to be pampered.
Hannah is literally an angel, gentle and friendly. My guards pop up a couple times to warn me she could just be an incredible actress, that maybe Anae sent her with Nair in her purse or something, and when she’s finished working on me and I’m done with this muffin, I’ll be bald and have a horrible case of diarrhea.
Like with Dare, though, I give her the benefit of the doubt.
It’s much easier with her.
She doesn’t have the feel of danger like he does. It’s incredibly easy to lower my guards and trust her, whereas with Dare, I can feel how risky it is even as I’m doing it.
I wonder if she’s ever met him.
I kind of hope not.
I can see him liking her, but I can also see him chewing her up and spitting out the bones.
Or falling madly in love with her great energy and never letting her go.
Not sure which one horrifies me more, but I find myself hoping she has evaded his notice.
Clearing my throat as she does my hair, I focus intently on the grape between my fingers and ask, “Do you know Dare?”
“Anae’s boyfriend?” she questions. “I’ve met him, but I keep my distance when he comes around.”