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Is it that obvious? “So will you help me or not?”

Her eyes narrow as she sizes me up. “Sure. But you owe me.”

“Name your price, and it’s yours,” I say. Surely, she must know my reputation even if she’s a freshman.

“Even a ticket to a musical?” she asks.

“Which musical?”

“They’re performingThe Sound of Musicdowntown.”

A ticket like that is nothing. Last summer I helped Mallory Micheals track down a stolen bracelet, and her mother works at the theater. “Consider it yours.”

She gasps. “Really? Just like that?”

“Yup,” I say. “Just like that.”

Olive covers her mouth. “No way.”

“So, where does Daniel’s grandma live?” I ask.

She still hasn’t recovered. She slowly moves her hand away from her mouth. “She lives at the Cedar Park Assisted Living Center. You know, the one across town by the waterfall.”

“Perfect!” I clap my hands. “I’ll get you that ticket by the end of the week,” I say, already staggering off.

“You better!” she calls after me.

I give her theA-okay sign and dash away.

I spot Annie and run toward her full steam ahead. “Incoming,” I yell as I wrap my arms around her from behind.

She squeals. “Do you have to do this every time?”

“It’s just love. Enjoy it.” I squeeze her tighter.

“I don’t think you’re going to give me a choice,” she says.

I let her go and fall into step beside her. “Are you going to work today?”

“Yup.”

“Can I tag along? I have some things to do in that part of town today.”

“Again?” she asks, heading out of the main school doors.

“I’ll be quick. I promise, and then we can do something together.”

There’s a suspicious look in her eyes. “Are you going to tell me what this is about yet?”

I shake my head. “You’ll have to be patient.”

Her eyebrow raises. “It better be worth it.” Then, she stops, and her eyes grow. “You aren’t sneaking around with a boy, are you?”

I gasp, linking my arm with hers. “Annie, I’m disappointed in you. You know you’d be the first to know if I liked someone.”

“True.” Her expression eases. “Just make sure you stay out of trouble. Mama will kill me if something happens to you.”

“Don’t worry. I promise you’ll thank me later.”