Page 83 of Venomous Kiss

“Why?” I ask, confused.

“Because my caterpillar has the perfect dark streak. Plus, she is a survivor.” He leans down to kiss me, but I turn my head so his lips land on my cheek. He lingers for a second before he pulls away.

“Pizza is almost ready,” Abigail calls out.

I pull out of his hold and walk back to the kitchen. Abigail removes a pizza from the oven and places it in front of me. Then Reon starts cutting it into slices and passes me a plate before he slides on a piece for me. He moves around, reaches for me, and places me on his lap. He picks up the pizza and starts feeding it to me. At first, I’m confused, but I lean forward and take a bite anyway. I’m starving.

“Did you even sleep? Or did you bake all day?” Reon asks Abigail as his hand touches the small of my back and starts moving his thumb over my skin. Behind her, on the counter, I see a tray of cupcakes I didn’t notice before. They are beautifully decorated with intricate swirls of frosting, each one a miniature work of art. Despite the harsh reality, I find myself drawn in. For a fleeting moment, I allow them to lure me into a false sense of security, a silent reminder that there is sweet temptation in this cruel world. And I am going to devour them.

“I did both. I slept for maybe three hours, then woke and started to cook. I figured you both might need it,” she replies.

“Thank you,” I say while eyeing the luscious temptation on the counter.

When I finish the first slice of pizza, Reon stands and sits me back down before he places another piece on my plate. He then grabs a cupcake and places it in front of me, before he turns to the refrigerator to grab a soda.

Abigail watches everything he does with warm eyes.

“You should eat too,” I tell him, and Abigail plates him a piece, but I know his eyes are on me. “Sit, eat.” He listens and comes around the counter to sit next to me. I remain quiet after that, unsure of what to say. My cell beeps, and I check it to see it’s my aunt asking me to call her as soon as possible. I reply, telling her I’ll come by later, and she sends a thumbs-up emoji.

“Who was that?” Reon asks.

“My Aunt.”

“The one who raised you?” he asks, and I turn to him and nod. “Why didn’t your father raise you?”

“He’s in prison,” I say, then take a drink of my soda.

“Were you close with him?”

“No, not back then, but I’m trying now. I see him more, which is nice.”

“Our mother died when we were young. Reon tells me your mother passed when you were young, too?” Abigail says.

“Yes,” I reply.

“I’m sorry. And your father in prison… that must have been hard for you.”

“I survived.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t have to simply survive,” she says as Reon goes still next to me.

“I need to go. Look, thanks for looking after me and for the delicious food, but I need to see my Aunt.”

“Let me drive you,” Reon says, and I shake my head. “You don’t have a car, Caterpillar.”

Oh shit, that’s right.

“I can take an Uber.”

“You don’t have any money on you either,” he reminds me.

Abigail reaches into her purse and hands me a hundred-dollar bill, and a confused expression spreads across my face.

“Pay me back when I see you next,” she says.

“I can’t take your money.”

“It’s his anyway, so take it.” She pushes it toward me. I pick it up and put it into the pocket of my borrowed pants.