Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“Are you a philosopher now?” Val snorted. “I need some water. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll just keep hitting threes,” Lonni said cheerfully.
Val chuckled and wove through the other girls practicing. They’d set up a game, four against four, later, but right now they were just goofing off. She enjoyed open gym, and she liked having found a game that neither her older nor younger sister played.
Plus, she loved postponing homework. Anything that would put off studying for the physics test she had on Monday, which she’d have to do the second she got home. At least she had all day tomorrow to figure out how to solve projectile motion problems.
She moved out of the gym to the darkened hallway and reached the water fountain, taking several big drinks, careful not to put her mouth on the metal. She’d forgotten her water bottle again, probably in the back of her mom’s car.
“Hey there, can you help me? I’ve lost my dog,” a man said.
She yelped and turned to look at him. “Excuse me?”
Empty and chilly, the hallway felt dark, although the gym was close by. She glanced toward the brighter lights and measured the distance.
“Yeah.” He shook his head. “I’m so sorry, but I saw some girls leave the door open a few minutes ago. My dog ran inside the school. I have no idea where I am. I’ve never been in here.”
“Oh,” she said. Lost dog. It could happen. She squinted to see him in the barely there light. The guy was good looking. He was about six feet tall, cleanly shaven, and had sparkling eyes. A battered ball cap covered shorter dark hair. In his hands, he held a leash. But it was a little after dinnertime on a Saturday night, so was it odd that he was out with his dog? She wasn’t sure.
“I just let him off leash for a minute,” the guy said. “I’m sorry to bug you.” He looked toward the gym. “I know you’re busy. Just point me toward the best place to look.”
She glanced down the hallway. “I’d look in the cafeteria. If you go down and take a right, you should be able to reach it.” Dogs could probably smell old chicken casserole and burgers, which had been the offerings that week.
“Thanks.”
She frowned. Weren’t most of the outdoor doors locked? It was possible somebody had left the door a little bit ajar. She’d seen it happen before. But she also imagined most of her friends would stop a dog or at least chase him if they saw him enter. She edged toward the gym.
“I’m sorry.” The guy held both hands up and backed away. “I didn’t mean to scare you. This is weird.”
“No, it’s not weird.” She felt stupid. “Not if you’re really looking for your dog.”
He was hot, his tight body dressed in a light black coat and jeans. He had to be in his, what, early twenties? She might only be fourteen, but she recognized a hottie when she saw one.
He pushed the cap further up his head. “I’ll let you get back to it,” he said. “I’m sorry about this.”
“No, really. I didn’t mean to . . .”
“Be smart?” he asked, chuckling. “You are. I’m a strange man in a hallway. You should be on alert. And the whole dog thing, isn’t that something serial killers use?”
She giggled. That trick was exactly something serial killers used.
The guy was charming and seriously cute with a dimple. “Do you want to help me look for the dog?” he asked.
The hair on her back rose again. “No, I don’t think so, but I’m happy to call the janitor or even the principal.” Her phone was in the gym. Damn it.
He moved toward her then.
Heat flashed through her ears, making them ring. She backed away.
“Now, Val, you’ve finally grown a brain, huh?”
He knew her name. Chills went through her, and her stomach dropped. Her knees trembled. She could kick him and she could run. He had that leash in his hands, but no weapon. What was that old saying? You charge the guy with the gun, and you run from the guy with a knife? She could get to the gym and safety.
He leaned in. “I know who you are.”
She swallowed. “Yeah, I figured that out when you said my name.”
He edged slightly between her and the gym.
She could hear the basketballs bouncing and girls laughing. “What do you want?” Her voice trembled.
He reached out and ran a finger down her face. “Don’t you worry. You’re too young and unaccomplished for me. For now, anyway.”
She reacted as she’d been taught, trying to knee him in the nuts. He slapped her knee down and pushed her against the fountain, hard. She cried out as her hip hit the metal.
“Then again, you are awfully pretty.”
Lonni moved through the doorway. “Come on. We’re going to play—” She stopped.