Page 28 of Kiss of Deceit

“She’s going to have to deal with me until I get my house back,” I snapped.

“Is the intern that bad?” A smile played on her lips as if she knew my words were bullshit. “You can’t stop looking at her.”

“She doesn’t like me.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“Adella,” I warned her. “Either stop talking about this or leave.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Go take a break. I’ll handle the bar.”

“You forget that I’m your boss.”

“I didn’t forget.” She gave me a push. “Go.”

With a sigh, I grabbed the food I’d brought with me from under the counter before heading to the exit. The main street was empty, and I leaned against the brick wall of the bar and munched on an apple. Winter was in the air, and it wouldn’t be long before snow began falling. Some people in town hated when it snowed because it made them feel trapped, but it didn’t bother me at all since I never left town.

The night sky was clear, and I stared at the stars, enjoying the peaceful quiet. Until the front door opened again. I was far enough away that they didn’t notice me, but I recognized Dani and Miles immediately.

“What are you doing tomorrow night?” Miles asked as they walked down the street.

I cursed under my breath, hesitating for only a moment before I began following them. Why? I didn’t know, but my feet were moving before I could think about it.

“I’m just hanging out at home,” Dani answered him.

“Maybe I can join,” Miles said, hope rising in his voice. “Watch a movie or something.”

“My housemate wouldn’t like that.”

I bit back my chuckle. She was right about that.

“Then come to my place,” he replied. “It’ll be fun.”

“Maybe.”

They walked in silence, and I stayed far enough back to keep them from hearing my footsteps. Miles tried again to make plans with her, but she brushed him off.

“How are you liking your internship?” Miles asked.

“Fine. Mostly just paperwork,” she replied. “I don’t think I’ll be using much of my degree here.”

“It’s the same thing at the clinic,” he said with a laugh. “People come in for runny noses and sore throats. The doctor said the worst case he’s ever gotten was a burst appendix. This town is weird, isn’t it? Like cut off from the world.”

“And there’re no kids,” Dani murmured as if lost in thought. “What kind of town has no children?”

Miles turned his head to look at her. “I didn’t even notice that.”

My interest in their conversation grew. She was noticing things that could get her in trouble if she kept digging. On the surface, Winterlake seemed like a picturesque town, but there were secrets that locals didn’t want outsiders to know.

“It’s odd, isn’t it?” she questioned. “And how no one drives here.”

“It’s a small town.” Miles slid his hands into his pockets. “There’s really no need for cars.”

“I guess.” She halted in her tracks before turning down the next street. “I think I’m going to take a walk.”

Miles looked at her, and I caught his frown from the streetlight. “It’s late.”

“I can handle myself, Miles,” she promised, her voice holding a note of annoyance. “I’m an adult and can walk whenever I want.”