Page 56 of The Spider Queen
Anita’s face froze when she saw me. Her gaze flitted between Hunter and me. She didn’t say anything but raised an eyebrow.
Later,I mouthed at her.
She nodded and grinned.
“You guys hungry?” Hunter asked, getting back to making breakfast.
“Starving,” Jonah said. “We had smoothies this morning. I need something legit.”
“Antioxidants are good for you,” Anita interjected.
Hunter laughed. “I’m making bacon.”
“Perfect.” Jonah headed to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of orange juice.
“Why don’t y’all sit down,” Hunter said to Anita and me.
“You don’t want any help?” I offered.
“Jonah will be my sous chef.”
Jonah clapped his hands together and grinned. “Right. We’ve got women to impress. Let’s do this, dude.”
Anita grabbed my hand and pulled me to the couch. We sat down and she whispered, “What’s going on with you and Hunter? I thought you said you were just going to be friends?”
I glanced over my shoulder, but the boys were occupied with cooking antics. “Um. Yeah. We were. But…I like him. We’re together.”
She raised blond eyebrows. “You mean togethertogether?” When I nodded, she grinned. “Yes! Finally!”
“Finally?” I snorted. “We’ve only known each other for a few weeks.”
“Still, you drove that guy crazy with your back and forth.”
“How do you know that?”
“Jonah. Guys talk. They just don’t want you to know that they talk.”
“Got it,” I said with a laugh. “Well, we’re together now. So that’s all that matters.”
She frowned. “Explain something to me, though. You went out with science dorks Friday night.”
“Hey,” I warned. “We’re not dorks. We’re geeks.”
“Yeah, whatever. And no—now is not the time to debate the differences.”
“Yes,” I admitted slowly. “I did go out with science people Friday night.” Which reminded me, I needed to shoot a text to Francis asking if he’d seen anything weird the night we went out. It wouldn’t hurt to text Jacky and John, too.
“So, how did you wind up here?” she demanded. “Wait, did you come over here for a late night—”
“No,” I interrupted. “Hunter and I met out at the bar and then I went home with him.” I didn’t want to tell her I’d been drugged and Hunter had come to my aid.
I felt a mental nudge against the wall I’d erected to keep Thane out. Instead of answering whatever question he was asking, I reinforced the barrier. It was the only way to maintain the last shred of sanity I still possessed.
“And you’ve been here for two days?” she demanded.
Wanting to get Anita off that line of questioning, I showed her the necklace. She looked impressed. Jewelry, any kind of jewelry from a guy, was a big deal. Or so she informed me.
After breakfast, Hunter and I made plans to meet up later in the day. But I needed a shower and a change of clothes. Plus, I had to talk to Francis and company.
