Page 126 of Guilty Minds

“Here they are!” Freya singsongs from her chair when she sees us. She's dressed like that little green dude with cute ears, while Alex wears a black helmet and a black batman-like outfit. I only know it's him because his frame is unmistakable. Have no idea who their characters are, even though Freya looks like an overgrown Yoda.

"Who?" Alex asks, turning around too fast. His shoulders are far too broad for such a narrow space, though, and he knocks a lamp from the accent wall down with his elbow. It falls on the floor and shatters into pieces.

Everyone around groans. Everyone.

“Another victim of the serial killer,” Freya says as she stands from the chair and wraps a hand around Alex’s arm, cooing sweetly to him, “It’s okay, boo bear. You’ll be fine.” She pats his belly where the material of his costume has stretched so much it’s nearly bursting, and Kayla lets out a giggle.

“Boo bear?” she repeats.

Freya shrugs with a smile. “Seems fitting.”

“It sure does.” Donna winks at her, appearing out of thin air. “Look at you two,” she gushes, turning to Kayla and me. "dressing to match. Cutie pies!" She pats my cheek, and I’m about to throw up.Cutie pies?

Kayla winks back. “We’re trying.” I feel betrayed.

"Well, good for you. Happy you two finally got together; you made me a lot of money! That pool was intense!" She laughs as she waves, leaving us with our mouths hanging open.

"There was a pool about us? Besides my mom’s bet?” I ask no one in particular.

“There was,” answers Alicia, appearing next to us. She's dressed in the iconic white Princess Leia costume. I haven't seen my sister in anything but sweatpants for a long time; this ridiculous outfit is the best thing she could possibly have picked today. My heart swells in my chest, and I swallow a huge lump in my throat. "I feel left out for not participating. Should have thrown my money in, too." She smiles, and there’s a little sliver of the smile she hadbefore.

“Figures. Small towns and bored folks.” Kayla rolls her eyes, and I give her a kiss on her cheek.

"That, and you were both kind of funny with all your mutual growling and chemistry. Oof." She dramatically fans herself with her hand. "I gotta write a book about you."

“Stop right there,” I groan. “That’s just gross.”

She only laughs, then turns to address Freya. “I wanted to ask you something about the center. Can we have a quick chat later?”

Freya throws me a curious look and answers, "Sure! Anytime." Then she picks up two glasses from the table filled with something that looks like mimosas and passes them to Kayla and Alicia.

“Cool," Alicia answers with a genuine smile. She looks relaxed, not cornered like she usually does with a lot of people besides her family in the room. “By the way, Mrs. Jenkins moved in with her daughter, and I rented out her place,” Alicia announces proudly just as Kayla takes a sip of her drink—she spits it out once Alicia’s words register. Her eyes bulge as she tries to cough the remaining liquid out. She looks at Alicia with shocked eyes and swallows nervously.

What is happening? What did I miss?