Page 37 of Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

Tucking his hands in his sweatpants pocket, Will analyzes me. He looks like he’s debating on something. Then, as though he’s made up his mind, he cracks the ghost of a smile. It’s a two-second smile, if that, but in that last second…

Something different lingers.

Something new.

I feel like we share some sort of secret now, which is dumb seeing as we did nothing wrong—I mean, except break onto private property

together. Intimidated, I sever the eye contact and pluck my phone out of my purse. I have two missed calls from an unknown number.

As if our return is the most anticipated event of the year, Alex rushes inside the room with nerve-racking anxiety flowing out of him.

“What’s up with you?” Winter asks.

“You’ve been gone for like two years, that’s what’s up,” Alex pants, eyeing our shopping bags on the floor.

I look up from my phone. “We’ve been gone for like four hours.”

“What the hell were you doing at the mall for four hours anyway?” Will mocks, making me want to slap the cocky grin off his face.

“Hunting elephants,” I deadpan. “Isn’t it obvious? We were shopping. What do you think we were doing?”

Will lifts an eyebrow. “Shopping for what? And don’t tell me shoes. You already have 2,433 pairs.”

“That’s not true,” Winter cuts in.

“Thanks, Winter,” I say, grateful for her support.

“She has 2,435.”

Alex and Will suppress a laugh. What? It’s not my fault shoes bring me more joy than the male species. Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I pick up as many bags as humanly possible and take the stairs two at a time, eager to find out who the missed calls are from.

“Thanks, Jenny. Of course I’ll be there. Thank you again.” I hang up and drop onto my bed with a squeal.

I have a job.

Me.

I have a freaking job.

I spoke with Jenny, the store manager, for around twenty minutes, clearing up the last details. I unlock my phone to call Morgan and tell her I’ll be able to afford fixing my shitty car in the near foreseeable future, but just as I’m about to press the Call button, a new message pops onto my screen.

Unknown Number: I think you need glasses

I frown. I don’t have this number registered in my phone.

Kass: Who is this?

Minutes pass before my phone goes off again.

Unknown Number: I was in the kitchen just now and you didn’t say hi. Obviously you didn’t see me so I’ll let it slide this once.

I grin. How did Will get my number?

Kass: I never say hi to you. You never cared before.

Unknown Number: Yeah, but I took you to my secret spot. We’re friends now.

Kass: You mean your shagging spot.