Page 83 of Death and Do-Overs

“Fine.”

She climbed onto my back, and we headed back the way we’d come.

Halfway down the first road, I heard crinkling behind my ear.

I asked her, “What are you doing?”

“Restoring some energy. I’m happy to share.” She held a piece of candy corn over my shoulder so I could see.

“I don’t?—”

She shoved it into my mouth.

I sighed, chewed, and let the gross chalky candy make its way down my throat. “Bleh.”

Imogen chuckled. “We’ll be energized perverts together. Go Team Reaper.”

CHAPTER 19

MAR

With a stretch and a yawn, I woke to a quiet room.

Too quiet.

Greta should have been squished up in the bed beside me. She wasn’t. Imogen should have been tucked into her own bed opposite ours. The blankets were neatly folded, as if she hadn’t slept there at all.

“Greta? Imogen?” My voice was scratchy with sleep.

Last night upon returning to the hotel, Levi had received a phone call and excused himself. Greta, Imogen, and I ended up eating, promising to chat more this morning about our plans for the day. Then we’d crashed.

But I was beginning to suspect the two of them had devised a plan of their own.

I climbed out of bed and checked the bathroom. No one was here. They’d gotten up early and left without a word, likely to prevent me from trying to weasel my way into staying together as a group today.

A flicker of annoyance passed through me, but it was fleeting.

There would be no buffer, no Imogen to carry conversation and hide behind. I was stuck spending the day alone with Levi.

We’d be forced to discuss the kiss that should never have happened. He’d want to know what it meant. It meant nothing. Nothing good could come from telling him so. And if we didn’t talk about it…there’d be room left for misinterpretation, or worse, expectation.

I’d rather fight a cave full of goblins alone, naked, with rusty wrenches duct taped to my skin, than face the day.

Alas, that wasn’t an option. Even if it was, I’d still have to see Levi again at some point, so I’d only be delaying the inevitable.

I made the bed and got myself ready for the day. Unfortunately, Greta had taken my favorite sweater. It was of course her favorite sweater, too. Having second choice in my own clothing was a mild inconvenience. I’d get over it.

My entire situation would feel more manageable after breakfast. Caffeine and carbs made everything better.

I headed to the door to grab some breakfast before having to face my doom. But as soon as I opened the door, my doom was lying in wait.

Despite knowing the consequences, I greedily took in the sight of him from the sunny and slightly-disheveled hair swept across his forehead to the width of his broad shoulders and the flattering loose fit of his white-washed jeans.

Clearly I was a self-destructive mess.

Levi dropped the fist he’d held raised, poised to knock.

His gaze captured mine.

---