Page 101 of The Stalker Snafu

Better to ask forgiveness than permission.

But curiosity won out—and there was no chance someone could jump out of hiding and make it to the cupcake before I could nab it up—so I carefully opened the envelope and pulled out a thin piece of paper.

It was blank.

I blinked at the empty page.

… Why leave me a blank note?

I flipped it over again, feeling both sides of the rough paper. Nothing. I frowned. Who would bother with putting my name on the envelope, then just leave a blank page⁠—?

Then it dawned on me, and I grinned.

Oh, Finn.

Leaving the paper—and regretfully the cupcake as well—on the island, I tiptoed back into the living room. Julian was already passed out on the couch again with the lights on.

I glanced around the room, but aside from a few take-out menus and the tablet Oliver had bought, the place was spotless.

I switched off the lights before venturing down to the guest room and scanning every available surface. Nothing was left out in the open. I checked the dresser, shuffling through each drawer, but they were just filled with Noah’s clothes and extra bedding. The closet was next, but it was basically bare aside from blazers and dress shirts. Turning to the nightstand, I’d barely opened the drawer before spotting the shiny silver spy pen lying atop a few manila folders.

Bingo.

My new find in hand, I hurried back down the hall and crept past a snoring Julian in the living room. The door slid shut without making a sound.

I let out a breath and smiled at the cupcake still waiting there.

A click made blue light beam out the top of the pen. Fumbling with the blank paper, I shone the light on one side and then the other. My hand froze when the light caught something, and I grinned at the page. A bunch of hastily scrawled letters glowed back, barely legible.

Hey Cupcake,

Does this finally make us even? You wouldn’t believe the restraint it took not to eat this beauty. I didn’t think I was capable. Don’t worry, though—I’m not trying to cheat you. There’s a bag of chocolates stashed under your pillow that should more than cover the remaining brownie points. (… and no, of course I didn’t read the diary I found there. How little do you think of me?)

Kincaid and Rafe might hold our secrets close to the chest, but I’ve never been much of a rule-follower. We can sneak away and talk tomorrow.

For now, enjoy this small token of friendship from a fellow sugar connoisseur.

You’ll be okay.

-Finn

P.S. I knew you’d crack the code! You’ll be a master magician in no time.

A weight eased from my shoulders, slid down my arms, and took a nosedive off my fingertips.

I carefully set the pen down, trying and failing to suppress a smile.

I didn’t have all the answers—not by a long shot. I wasn’t even sure I really wanted to know them. But Noah was safe, and now I had a chance to get to know his friends and learn more about his hidden life. Finn was offering answers. This was something I’d been wanting for months… just under drastically different circumstances.

I couldn’t waste a chance like this.

My parents always said I was too impulsive. Too rash. They claimed I lacked the discipline to be a great pianist—but that didn’t stop them from forcing me to try.

I’d run halfway across the country for a piano program I’d just learned about. I’d fallen for Noah without knowing him. I’d jumped to confront my stalker instead of alerting the authorities.

I had a history of rushing things. But maybe it was time to practice a little patience and see where the pieces fell. To give this a chance.

I devoured the cupcake in three bites.

… Okay, so maybe not patience in all things.

~ Fin ~