I’d need to come up with a hell of an explanation.
“Look, look…” Giana says, her eyes trained on the floor. “There’s a trail.”
Oh, damnit.
I look at the stairs leading to the upper level. It’s too late to sprint up those steps, climb the ladder and hide in the attic.
I can only hope the wet trail stops in the kitchen and Giana doesn’t continue her journey.
“There’s no way I have a roof leak,” Raven says. “I’ve never had one. What am I saying? I can’t have one. I have an attic. You forgot?”
“Listen, girl. I’m telling you how things are. I’m only reporting here.”
She’s cute.
But please tell Raven that everything is all right.
“I don’t know what to say. You have a water trail in the house, and it’s not me. I just removed my boots…”
They both go silent, and my jaw locks without hope that I’ll ever be able to unclench it.
“Do you think there’s someone in my house?” Raven asks.
The blood drains from my body.
The woman turns to stone. I’d do that too if I were her.
“Are you serious??” Giana murmurs, spooked.
“Don’t move,” Raven says. “I’m calling my cute neighbor right now. He might be able to help you.”
Cute neighbor?
I like that.
Help her??
My phone vibrates against my thigh.
I palm it, burying the silenced tone. I even pull away from the door, in case it can make it to Giana’s ears.
It stops, and then it goes off again.
Giana doesn’t move. I don’t move. And Grayson doesn’t move.
Hopefully.
She gives up and calls Giana again.
“He doesn’t answer,” Raven says.
“Okay, I’m leaving. Forget about the dress. I can do without it. Maybe this is a sign I should stay home and forget about the Christmas party and the sexy doctor. Never listen to the butterflies in your stomach. They’re almost never right.”
“No, no. You have to get that dress. I’m sure there’s an explanation for the water trail. I didn’t want to scare you.”
“You told me someone was in your house a week or so ago. Looking for something.”
I hold my breath, anxious to hear Raven again.