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I take the flowers and there’s nothing wrong with them. It’s just a simple bouquet. “Thank you.”

When I lift them to my nose and take a whiff of the sweet scent, I release the breath I’ve been holding. Maybe this isn’t going to be a gotcha moment. Maybe I was worried about nothing.

He nods and gestures toward where his mother waits for us. Yeah, pictures. Normal teen stuff. So why do I feel like I’m going to pass out?

We stand next to each other awkwardly in front of the fireplace. Will’s suit jacket brushes my bare arm, and a little shiver slips through me. His mom holds up her phone and takes a picture.

“Put your arm around her waist, Will.”

I swallow as I turn toward him a little. He wraps his arm around my waist and settles his hand over my hip. The butterflies are in a full-on panic attack now.

“Is this okay?” he asks softly.

I lift my gaze to his. His blue eyes sparkle behind his glasses, and my breath catches at the feel of his warm hand on my waist. His cologne floods my senses with a crisp, clean scent, not overwhelming like my ex’s. Just soft and subtle.

“That’s good.” Will’s mom’s voice is a little distant. “Don’t forget to smile, Will.”

His smile is like that moment when the rainclouds part and the sunlight bursts through. It’s soft and comforting. I can’t take my eyes away from his smile, and the butterflies flutter softly inside. His brown hair falls from whatever style he’d been trying for. It softens his eyes, and my heart skips a fucking beat.

What the hell?

CHAPTER 8

Armed and Dangerous

Harper

I sit in Jack’s room holding two batons that are supposed to help protect me. Caden gave them to me earlier. They’re lightweight and small, only five inches long and slender, barely the size of a dime around. These ones are beautifully designed and add power to my punch, which I hopefully won’t need.

They’re security, just in case. Butterflies spin dizzying circles inside my stomach as I think about tonight. Part of me wants to stay as far away as possible from what’s supposed to happen. I just want to be with my guys and enjoy my first high school dance. Maybe dance crazy dances with Kenz and Penny and the girls. Slow dance with my guys.

I take a deep breath and stare at my reflection. So much has changed, and yet I don’t look all that different from the beginning of the year. I never would have attracted Zach’s attention before the horsemen claimed me. But now I’m all in on the horsemen and I’m walking into my doom instead of just attending a dance with the guys I love.

Also, I have no idea how to put these in my hair. I should have booked a hair appointment somewhere for today. But when? Between the quarry and the impromptu watch party, there hasn’t been much free time. We’re just lucky they cancelled the parade.

“Knock, knock.” Ava opens the door and steps inside. She’s gorgeous in her short blue dress. Her green eyes are highlighted by her dark makeup. She smiles. “You look amazing. My brother won’t want to let anyone else see you.”

I look down at the dress that makes me feel like a fairy princess. I just hope I get my fairytale ending.

“You look beautiful,” I say. “What are you doing here?”

“Helping.” She takes the brush from the desk. “Caden said you haven’t been to a dance, and that probably means you haven’t had a lot of experience in doing your hair for it. I like helping my friends get ready.” She shrugs. “Unless you don’t want me to.”

“Please.” I hold up the decorative sticks. “I need something with these in it. I have no idea what to do.”

Ava touches my shoulder. “I’ve got you.”

I turn to watch her in the mirror as she twists and pins my hair into place. “How does it feel to be back at Sherman High School?”

Her eyes lift to meet mine in the mirror. She gives me a little smile. “It’s different than I expected.”

“What were you expecting?” I ask softly. This girl had to have been traumatized by what happened to her. Tanner used her callously for revenge and then tossed her away, leaving her to deal with the consequences alone, but it’s been a year since that happened. So hopefully, she’s coping.

“First off, I really didn’t expect my brother to sic three hot guys and a cheerleader on me.” She laughs.

My curiosity is piqued by the “hot” guys comment. I think about the guys I’ve seen around Zoey and yeah, if I were her age and not taken, they would definitely be hot.

“How’s that going?” I ask. It’s actually nice to not think of all the problems we’re having and let someone else vent about their lives.