Page 73 of Hide From Me

I glance over my shoulder at the café once more; Lance is sitting right under one of the cute umbrellas, wearing a smug grin as he brings a cup to his mouth.The only problem is that it isn't Lance, it’s just a man that looks like him.

Jack follows my stare and frowns. “What the hell has gotten into you?”

I wish I could laugh. Or cry. Or say something clever. But all I do is let him guide me toward the car, legs heavy, mind spinning.

I thought I’d buried him for good.

Turns out, you can bury a body, but the memory doesn’t stay dead.

Eighteen

Moe

01-15-2026

Raylen's house

It’s a proven fact: once you meet the parents, you’re officially in the game. I’m no longer circling the outskirts of her life, flirting and finessing my way into her trust. This is it. The dinner table, the family stories, the quiet judgment.

The beginning of the end—or the start of something real.

I’m so fucking poetic its disgusting.

I half expected her to hate me after I ghosted her for two days. The truth is, I’ve been spiraling out of control. Cordelia and Jasmine went rogue, Caspian looks at me like he doesn't know me anymore, Sam won’t talk to me unless it's orders, and I killed a man for her. A corrupt, pathetic man, but still a man.

I’ve spent every night pacing, trying to figure out how the hell to tell her the truth without shattering whatever fragile thing we’ve built.

I wanted this. Fought like hell to get here. And now, with everything falling into place, I feel like I’m holding a loaded gun with no idea where to aim. I've been in this position before and I chose the right route the first time, but can I do it again?

I’m so fucked. But I’ll make it work. I always do.

Unless… this is a setup. Shit. What if she knows? What if this dinner is her way of calling my bluff and dragging me into the spotlight?

I take a step back from her front door and run a hand through my hair, trying to quiet the static screaming behind my ribs. It’s probably nothing—just nerves. Still, if thisisa trap, I hope she’s mad.Reallymad. That kind of madness might mean she cares.

Before I can hesitate knocking again, the door creaks open just enough for one green eye to peek through, a streak of red hair sliding into view. I arch a brow. Normally, she’s already dragging me inside with some sarcastic remark.

“You’re early,” Raylen mutters, voice gruff.

“I missed you too,” I purr, leaning casually against the doorframe.

She rolls her eyes as she flings the door the rest of the way open, and I drag my gaze down her body. She’s not wearing her usual dark layers—tonight it’s a sundress, flowy and soft, hugging her in all the right places. Open-toed shoes. Pink polish on her nails. Even her piercings changed—a little diamond stud instead of the usual hoop. The whole look is a curveball. Not that I’m complaining.

“Damn, girl,” I say, giving a low whistle as I take another slow pass with my eyes.

“Oh my god, shut up,” she snaps, stepping out and slamming the door behind her harder than necessary.

Before she can pass me, I catch her hand and give her a quick spin, letting her dress flare out around her.

“Let me just get one good look at you,” I tease, dropping my voice an octave and biting my lip.

“If you don’t stop, I swear I’ll leave you here.”

We both know that’s a lie, and she proves it by not moving, arms crossed tight and glaring at me like I’m the worst thing to happen to her all week. Still, I go for the overkill.

“Oh, come on. I don’t even get a compliment? Do you know how hard it was to get my ass into these jeans?” I do a twirl, arms out to my sides and palms in the air. When I turn back to face her, I notice she quickly turns her head away, trying to hide the broad smile on her face. Oh yeah, I win. This is it. She’s mine.

That single thought drives me to step closer to her, pushing one hand at a time up my forearms to roll my button-up sleeves to my elbows. I can still get us to her parents on time; all I need is ten minutes to have her screaming my name.