Came Back Haunted (Experiment in Terror #10) - Karina Halle Page 0,88

long until we’re pulling up outside the bar. I’d just texted Rebecca to tell her that we were close and she’s already waiting outside, waving at us happily while smoking a cigarette.

“I would kill for that cigarette,” Dex grumbles as we slide out of the car.

Normally I’d tell him no way, but considering all we’ve gone through, I think he probably deserves a pack.

“You’re here,” Rebecca says excitedly, coming over to hug me. She envelopes me in her perfume, then holds me by the shoulders, looking me up and down. “You look gorgeous. I knew that dress was going to work with you. And those heels.” She inspects my face. “You just need that red lipstick to match. You have the one you bought at Sephora?” Her eyes narrow slightly as she takes me in more closely. “Are you okay?”

I nod and manage a smile. “Yes, of course.”

“No hugs pour moi?” Dex asks, taking her attention off of me.

“Phhhfff,” Rebecca says, giving him a quick hug.

“And no compliments either?” he asks with mock hurt as she pulls away. He gestures to himself. “What about my suit?”

“It’s a black suit, Dex. I’ve seen you wear it before.”

“But I’m wearing a tie this time.”

She rolls her eyes. “You look handsome, okay? Like your ego needed to know that.” She puffs on her cigarette and blows it in his face, grinning.

For one blissful moment it feels like old times. The days before Samantha Poe and that awful house. But that moment doesn’t last. It hits me like a pile of bricks when I realize that she’s never going to go away at this rate. I’ll be lucky if she doesn’t show her face here like she did at the gym, terrorizing me in plain sight where no one can see her.

“I need a drink,” I tell Rebecca.

“And I need a cigarette,” Dex says to her.

“You’re all right with this?” she asks me as she hesitantly pulls a jeweled cigarette case out of her clutch and hands him one.

I shrug. “Whatever he wants.”

They both raise their brows in unison, Dex looking extremely intrigued. “Oh really? I wasn’t aware that was the rule now.”

I know what he’s thinking. Keep it in your pants, I tell him.

He gives me a knowing grin, like he even listens to me to begin with.

He takes the cigarette from Rebecca, classing up his image by sticking it behind his ear, while Rebecca puts hers out on the brick wall, flicking it into the garbage can.

We walk inside the crowded bar and Rebecca grabs us both by the hand, leading us to a table in the back where we find familiar faces, Seb and Dean, obviously ostracized from the rest of the party who all know each other.

Seb is still a stoner through and through, but he chopped off his ponytail recently and now has his hair short and messy. He didn’t quite make it into a suit, but at least his dress shirt doesn’t have any stains on it.

He greets us, smelling like weed, eyes rimmed red. Oh, to be Seb in his happy little world all the time. Must be nice.

Then there’s Dean, who is looking more striking than ever.

“Are you working out, baby daddy?” I ask him as he gives me a hug, feeling the muscles in his back.

He shrugs, giving me a shy smile as he adjusts his glasses. “Not really.”

But I can tell that he has been. I wonder if it has something to do with Rebecca. The last time we went shopping together she mentioned they were trying to make it work again, though with the way she has the hots for her co-worker, I’m not sure how long that will last.

Speaking of co-workers, I look around the bar, trying to spot the striking brunette. I think I spot her in the corner, surrounded by men in suits.

I give Rebecca a look. “Want to get a drink?” I ask her.

She nods and then looks at the boys. “You want anything?”

“Jack on the rocks,” Dex says, taking a seat beside Dean. “And a beer.”

She gives him a double take. “Well then, starting off on the right foot I see.”

Seb and Dean then put in orders for beer and we’re both already regretting getting their drinks.

Rebecca leads me over to one of the open bars and we get in line.

“So, how are you?” she says to me, keeping her voice low. “And I mean really.”

I press my lips together, debating on how much to say. I don’t