Page 67 of Can't Stop Watching

"Veritas." My voice comes out as a squeak. "I made it to round two!"

"Holy shit!" Tessa shrieks.

We both jump to our feet, grabbing each other's hands and bouncing like we're at a middle school slumber party. I'm making embarrassing little squealing noises I didn't know I could produce.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god," I chant, not caring about the startled glances from nearby tables.

"I knew it!" Tessa yells, still bouncing. "What did I tell you? What did I fucking tell you?"

"Wednesday at four," I gasp. "I have to prepare three story pitches!"

"We'll workshop them together." Tessa pulls me into a crushing hug. "I'm so proud of you!"

I collapse back into my seat, light-headed with excitement. "This is really happening."

"Damn right it is." Tessa drops back down, her perfect hair somehow still in place despite our jumping session. "First hot detective sex, now Veritas? The universe is finally paying you back, girl."

I laugh, feeling something unfamiliar bloom in my chest. Hope, maybe? After years of looking over my shoulder, of building walls and keeping my head down, everything's suddenly falling into place. The internship I desperately want. A man who makes me feel both safe and excited.

For once, I'm not waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"You know what?" I say, raising my coffee mug. "To good things finally happening."

Tessa clinks her empty cup against mine. "About fucking time."

For the first time in forever, I feel like maybe—just maybe—my life is heading somewhere good. Somewhere I actually want to be.

22

LILA

My last shift order goes down easy as I do some final cleaning. My mind's been everywhere but here tonight—bouncing between daydreams about the Veritas interview and replaying every detail of what happened with Dane. I've checked my phone approximately fifty-seven times since Dane texted he'd pick me up after work.

"Earth to Lila," Joey waves his hand in front of my face. "You planning to wipe that counter or just stare at it all night?"

"Sorry." I snap back to reality, quickly wiping down the sticky surface. "Just tired."

Joey snorts. "Yeah, tired and grinning like you won the lottery. Who is he?"

"Who says there's a he?" I deflect, but my cheeks heat up instantly.

"Your face does." Joey crosses his arms. "Same face Marissa had when she started dating that hedge fund guy."

Marissa is the girl I replaced after she quit without giving notice.

I roll my eyes. "It's nothing serious."

Yet. Maybe. God, I don't even know what I want it to be.

With a shrug, I grab my bag from behind the bar. "Night, Joey."

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" he calls after me.

"That leaves the field wide open," I shoot back, pushing through the door into the cool night air.

And there he is, leaning against his car, looking like he walked straight out of some dangerous fantasy. Black t-shirt stretched across those shoulders, dark jeans, and that intensity in his eyes that makes my stomach flip.

"Right on time," I say, trying for casual like my heart isn't doing gymnastics in my chest.