Page 62 of Love in Development

Chapter 19

“Maddox came over totake care of Lin so I could protect you from a serial killer at the dance.How did you end up with Ni?Was IK awful?Or worse, did he stand you up?Again?That IK, I’m going to have to give him a piece of my mind.”

How was being stood up worse than being the victim of a killer?I shook my head at Charisse’s nonsense.But she was already shooing us both into the house.I got Ni’s crutch back under him before he was swept away by her whirlwind.

Lin was sitting on one side of the couch with her feet in Maddox’s lap as he gave her a massage with some sort of strong, herbal-smelling oil that permeated the room.“That was fast,” Lin said.Her eyebrow was raised at me, as usual.I wanted to say something about the no-guy rule, but it was Lin’s house.And she was looking less green.I didn’t want to agitate her.

“Molly, I wanted to introduce you to my friend,” Ni said, grinning over at Maddox.

Maddox nodded at me.

“Yeah, we met at the play,A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”The temperature in the room spiked as I remembered his suddenly not-so-coincidental presence next to me.Something else I’d have to get him back for.

Charisse’s eyes bounced like ping-pong balls between us.

“Not properly, you didn’t.This is ShadowImp.”

Maddox turned to us, his head cocked as if trying to figure out the joke.

“And this is ScarlettSaber,” Ni continued.

Maddox jumped up, dropping Lin’s legs, and she cried out in pain.He immediately turned back to her, fixing the damage he’d done.“Sorry, babe.Sorry.”

Apparently, Ni thought it was hilarious to keep secrets.I’d have to keep an eye on him.At least I knew that they hadn’t been laughing at me behind my back.

Despite her sickness, Lin was the first to catch on.“Wait, ShadowImp.”She gave Maddox a good glare for keeping a gaming handle from her on purpose.“ScarlettSaber...Does that mean you’re IK?”Her thousand-yard stare landed on Ni.

Under Lin’s appraisal, even Ni crumbled.“Yes?”

Charisse shrieked.“Ni-guy is IK.IK is Ni-guy?My head’s going to explode.Did you two dance a lot?Doesn’t Molly look hot tonight?How did you get back?”

Now it was my turn to go red.I grabbed a pillow off the chair next to me and tossed it at her to stop her talking.She caught it and hugged it to her as if holding in all the things she wanted to ask.Great, I had about thirty seconds.Before Ni could answer, I did.“We didn’t make it inside the gym.We met outside.”I left out the heated dance.“And then—well, his foot—so we went to sit down.”Ugh, my cheeks were aflame again.I hated being redhead.“I got distracted by the discussion, and we walked back here.”

“You made my Ni-guy walk all the way here on his broken leg?”Charisse threw the pillow back at my face.

Ni intercepted it.

Before things could get out of hand, Lin clapped her hands from the couch, like a queen on her throne.“Alright boys.Time to head home.You can come back tomorrow.In the afternoon.When it’s safe.Unless I’m still tossing my cookies.”

“Tomorrow?”I asked.

“Stephanie’s at the dance right now, but she’s moving out tomorrow!She said she’s already packed and can’t wait to get out of here.She should be gone before lunch.Yes!”Despite the heels Charisse was wearing to go along with her formal dance attire, she jumped in the air, pumping her fist.I agreed in sentiment, if not in action.I’d get my room back tomorrow.After I checked it for traps.Charisse fussed over Lin, while I walked the guys out.Maddox took a set of keys out of his pocket, so I wouldn’t have to worry about Ni walking any more.Ni turned to me at the threshold.I was in and he was out.

“Can I see you tomorrow?”His eyes were intense again.

“Lin said so.”

He grabbed my hand.“I want to know ifyouwant to see me.”

I swallowed and nodded dumbly.Ack!There was that smile again.