Page 108 of Unwritten Rules

She flipped over the card that was supposed to tell of our present slowly.The dramatics were freaking me out.

“You two have secrets held back from one another.” She clicked her tongue and looked at each of us, feeling like she was staring into our souls. “Depending on how you handle this, your future card may change.”

She waited to flip the last card—more dramatic effect maybe?

I looked at Kelly. “Are we supposed to tell our secrets now? Or do we—”

“Hush, girl. Madame is speaking with the spirits.” Her eyes were tightly closed before flipping over the last card. “Oh.”

“Oh?” Kelly and I echoed in unison, leaning forward to get a better look.

I looked at the card. Why was there adeathcard?Oh, no. I’m going to die tomorrow for real.My mind raced with every way I could die.

I tried to remind myself that this was a party trick of a card game. Madame Dina was probably just playing up the drama for entertainment. But as I sat there, staring at that skeletal figure on theDeath card, I couldn't shake the feeling that something big was coming. Something that would change everything.

“Ah, the Death card,” she murmured, her fingers lightly brushing the corner. “Do not fear it, my dears. This is notnecessarilya harbinger of doom, but a powerful symbol of transformation and rebirth. To move forward, you must let go of the past.”

That sounded like code forI'm going to die. I glanced at Kelly, but her expression was unreadable. I, on the other hand, was ready to bolt from the tent and never look back.Forget the festival!I needed to invest alotof money in bubble wrap and hazmat suits.

“For you, this card suggests a time of great transition. Seems like you two should settle up on your secrets if you’d like to keep each other.” She shuffled the cards back into the deck and shooed us away. “Go now, I must rest. You two havea lotto discuss with one another.”

Almost stumbling out of the tent, Kelly and I shared uneasy glances.

“Maybe that wasn’t a good idea,” she said, rubbing her arm nervously.

“No shit. I’m already freaked out enough as is.” I mimicked her movements, feeling the goosebumps that formed on my arm. “That lady gave me the heebie jeebies.”

A hand grabbed me from behind and I pulled back, yelping.

“Woah, it’s just me!” Brent exclaimed, looking startled along with me and Kelly. He searched our faces for what had freaked us out.

“Brent!” Sloane sauntered over, purring at Brent in her typical sultry voice with her swaying hips. She demanded attention and an audience wherever she went.

Good God,would she ever leave us alone for more than two seconds? She was always somewhere lurking.

She didn’t seem to have a giant posse with her this time around and changed into more appropriate attire for the festival. Kelly and I had the same idea with stopping at home before driving over. While it covered more, appropriate may not have been the best term. A mini skirt with a cropped sweater didn’t look warm enough for the ever-cooling evening.

I choked back a laugh thinking about if she’d find one of her minions later and steal their clothes.

Brent didn’t look like he was having any of it. “Sloane, I’m busy. I already told you I don’t want to see you anymore.” He turned back to us, ignoring her pleading eyes.

She stuck out her bottom lip, pouting in a particular manner that felt a little devious. Good plot, I’d admit. “Baby, I told you I was sorry. What business do you have with Fallon anyway?” A look of curiosity crept onto her face

“Business that is none of yours. It’s between our families,notyours.” His voice was cut and harsh, but I could only guess how many times he told her to get off his back.

She stamped her foot, furrowing her brows like a toddler. “Don’t be rude. Can we all go to the corn maze? I’ll invite Alexander too.” She pulled out her phone and zoomed through it with her thumbs before any of us could stop her.

God dammit.

“Not necessary,” Brent clicked the power button on her phone to turn the screen off. “I was just leaving.”

Her face lit up. “Then I’ll go with you.”

“Youcould go into the maze with Alexander,” Kelly muttered under her breath.

I didn’t want anyone to go into the maze with me. Actually, I preferred not going at all. Kelly and I didn’t officially plan to take up the corn maze and take a chance on getting lost forever.

“Anyway,” I took a step backward, pulling Kelly with me, “thanks for the business update, Brent. I’ll see you in the boardroom.”

---