Page 91 of Kiss of Seduction

That was Blake and Evie’s plan, at least. The hidden agenda was that they would use peer pressure to make Lily join them.

“I don’t know…” Sam crossed her arms, all but hugging herself. “I shouldn’t. I got a meeting tonight.”

“What kind of meeting?”

Sam’s face turned such a bright shade of red that Evie guessed ‘meeting’ was code word for ‘date.’ When Evie shot her a grin, Sam quickly lowered her eyes and hunched over the table. The act produced an odd squeak that didn’t sound like it came from the furniture but rather like it originated from inside Sam’s clothes.

Evie started to frown, but then bit her lip to stifle a laugh. “I thought that little critter wasn’t a pet.”

Sam followed Evie’s gaze, looking down at her jacket pocket, and her blush deepened even further. Peeking out was a small gray face with shiny black eyes. The mouse was squeaking in a way that made it sound in distress.

“He’s not, he’s just…” Sam poked the mouse on the head, making it duck back down in her pocket. It stayed there for just a few seconds before peeking out again. “I tried to let him go, but he keeps coming back.”

“Aren’t they pests?” Evie said, the words juxtaposed by how she was smiling at the little animal. It was holding onto the edge of Sam’s pocket with its front paws.

“He’s not sick or anything. And I made sure his fur is clean.” Sam made a quick glance over her shoulder before picking up the mouse from her pocket and holding it towards Evie. Partly hidden by her hand, the other bar patrons couldn’t see it.

Evie couldn’t help but grin as the little mouse carefully sniffed at her extended finger. It didn’t seem entirely comfortable going near her, preferring the apparent safety of Sam’s hand.

“Does it have a name?” Evie asked.

“I just call him Mouse. I don’t think he minds. He hasn’t mentioned it if he does.”

Evie giggled when the mouse’s whiskers tickled her skin. “Well, I wouldn’t want to offend him. Not when he’s so cute.”

As though it understood the compliment, the mouse let out a satisfied squeak and did an excited pirouette in Sam’s palm.

When Sam pulled back her hand to return Mouse to her jacket, Evie spotted something on the floor next to her seat. A piece of soft, white plastic with lettering on it. It looked to have fallen out when Sam took Mouse out of her pocket.

Without thinking, Evie bent to pick it up, realizing only what it was when she had it in her hand. A hospital bracelet.

“What’s this?” Evie asked. Sam snatched it away from her.

“It’s nothing.”

“Are you okay?” Evie said, suddenly worried. “Are you sick?”

“No, I’m not, I’m…” Sam didn’t look at Evie. “It’s my sister’s. She’s institutionalized. She gives me her old bracelets when they update them, just in case the doctors need the information for something. Even though she knows they have that stuff catalogued.”

“Oh…” The sound was followed by awkward silence.

Evie didn’t have much experience being there for other people. Most she knew about it had come from watching Natalya navigate Evie’s own complicated cobweb of frayed emotions. She tried to lean into that, thinking of what Natalya would say.

“That’s nice of her.”

Sam glanced at Evie, looking for signs of teasing. When she didn’t find any, she smiled softly. “Yeah. It is.”

“Why is she institutionalized? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“You can ask. It’s fine.” By the look on Sam’s face, it wasn’t exactlyfine. “She was attacked. Two years ago, almost. She was out camping with her fiancé, and they were swarmed by wild animals. Rachel managed to get away, but Nathan wasn’t as lucky. There wasn’t even enough of him for a coffin. She hasn’t been the same since.”

Sam sighed, the noise full of misery. She looked tired and sad. “She keeps insisting it was zombies that attacked them. She needs a lot of care. It’s expensive.”

“I’m sorry, Sam.” Evie almost went to Sam’s side of the booth so she could hug her, but she didn’t want to overstep.

“It is what it is. My parents and I chip in what we can.” Sam sunk another inch, looking even more demure than before. “It’s hard. But we find ways to manage.”

Sam lowered her head as though uncomfortable with the topic. And Evie felt like she was prying.