Crazy In Love (Secrets of Suburbia #3) - Ivy Smoak Page 0,61

whereabouts.

Kids raced onto the sidewalks in front of their houses to catch the candy Santa and the rest of the firemen threw. It was such a peaceful scene. The kids running around in the snow and jumping to catch the candy. But I couldn't make myself smile. Not when it was growing more and more likely that Noah was planning something more sinister than my drugged brownies. I might die tonight. He's going to try to kill me. It was the same conclusion I kept coming back to. There was no reason for him to stay and hide unless he was seeking revenge. Which was something I knew my fair share about. Revenge was what had driven me to kidnap him in the first place.

I lifted Snuggle Muffins' paw and we waved together as the fire truck slowly drove by. Santa waved back and rubbed his plump tummy. The driver honked the horn and Snuggle Muffins squirmed in my arms. Yup, he definitely liked trucks. He'd probably be chasing it right now if I wasn't hugging him close.

Sally walked by and waved. I swore she winked at me, but I couldn't be sure. Sally, Sally, Sally. Even though her discussion with Charlotte earlier hadn't exactly thrown me under the bus, I didn’t trust her. Mostly because it felt like she knew I was up to no good. Normally that wouldn't be a problem. But when you were up to no good and someone suspected you? Yeah, Sally was definitely a problem. I smiled and waved back.

I watched the fire truck make its way to the end of the lane. Our street was one of the last ones in the neighborhood. The sirens would be far away soon enough. The snow danced around us as I waited for all the happy families to retreat back inside. They were probably sitting down to a warm meal, excitement buzzing in the air for the upcoming Christmas break.

That was the dream. Two kids to fill our house. Us against the world. Noah had spoken those words to me in his vows. It was him and me now. There was no "us." I'd made damn sure of that.

When the last family disappeared back inside, I pulled my knife out of the flowerpot. Not all dreams came true. I'd never have the family I dreamed of. As far as I was concerned, I no longer even had a husband. Noah had ruined us. He'd ruined my perfect white picket fence life. But I wasn't going to let him end it.

He didn't remember me or our house. I knew every square foot of the space because I was the one on my hands and knees cleaning it every week. He couldn't outmaneuver me in there. I was still in control. And I was done being scared. It was time to have some fun with my lovely husband. Besides, it was the last time I was going to get to play house for a long time. I just hoped it was because I fled safely to Mexico and not because I was behind bars.

Chapter 20

Sunday

"Noah!" I called as Snuggle Muffins and I made our way back inside. "You just missed Santa coming by!"

I wasn't surprised by the lack of response. I placed Snuggle Muffins down and he followed me into the kitchen.

"I'm making you brownies! Your favorite!"

Silence.

"They'll be done in ten minutes, so plan accordingly!" I popped open the oven to check on them. They were looking perfect. I'd always been great at winging it with recipes. Baking was a science and not an art and all that jazz? Psh. Call me a scientist then. I started humming again, this time actually feeling it.

I was going to be the opposite of the Grinch. I was going to bring the Christmas spirit back to this dead home. To please Detective Torres. To trick Noah. And maybe a little to go out in style.

"Let's decorate for Christmas!" I yelled. "Come on out and help!"

Noah had never been one to help decorate, so I was extra not surprised when he didn't respond. More fun for me, grumpy pants McGee.

"Baby." I lifted up Snuggle Muffins. "It's." I twirled in a circle. "Cold." I shimmied my hips. "Outside."

I was vaguely aware of the fact that I might be high from the weed fumes and the taste testing as I danced us over to the box Detective Torres had so graciously brought up from the basement. Honestly I wasn't even sure what I was