The rest of the week passed the same as Monday—work, practice, and do it all again.

I showed Owen the wonders of TikTok—he wasn't impressed and mostly just kept asking, why? When I met Nolan at his gym one morning before work, Owen was shocked to see so many women lifting weights—he was impressed with that, and called them badass chicks.

Owen used our free time to relive more hunts so I could study the mimics and how they fought. After experiencing some of the things he'd been through, I learned that he'd earned his cocky attitude and had the ability to back it up. It made me even more grateful to be on his side when he decided we'd be hunting soon.

Our only plan for now was to people-watch in town; there'd be no reason to interact. If there was a mimic, Owen would be able to tell, but that'd start tomorrow. Tonight was my date with Emily. I'd been excited about it all week; enough that it'd been a source of teasing from Owen, but I didn't care.

After showering, I changed into a lightweight t-shirt that felt great after sweating in my work polo all day. The temperature was expected to stay in the nineties even after dark, and I hoped Emily wouldn't want to have dinner on a restaurant patio.

I worked some styling cream through my hair and Owen grumbled, "Do you always have to use that stuff?"

"Yeah, dude." I chuckled. "This finished-but-not-overly-sculpted style doesn't just happen. Plus, it smells nice." I flexed my arms in front of me and winked at my reflection.

Owen muttered, "Ridiculous."

"Pretty sure you meant hot."

"Unlikely. So, we're not practicing at all?"

"It's already seven, and there's no way I'll be late picking Emily up. When we get home, we'll practice as much as you want, but she's first today."

Owen huffed. "Fine."

***

At eight I stood in Emily's foyer chatting with her mom about how the sun was baking her petunias this year even though they usually thrived in the heat. I don't know anything about flowers, but I smiled and tried to pay attention, grateful that she was much friendlier than I'd originally expected.

My heart fluttered as Emily skipped down the stairs, making her shiny blonde curls bounce around her shoulders, stealing my focus.

"Hey, Bash!"

She wore a baby blue tank top with lace trim on the neckline and tiny tan shorts that showed off her toned legs and made my throat go dry.

"Let me know when the date is over." Owen checked out without me having to ask.

I grinned at Emily. "Hi! Are you ready?"

"Yep, let's go! Bye." She sped past her mom without slowing. After a hasty goodbye, I hurried out the door to catch up.

Her arm brushed mine as I helped her climb in before striding to the driver's side. I could feel her eyes on me as I settled in and turned the key. Nerves had me biting my lip before I said, "You look beautiful."

She beamed. "Thanks! I made Mom buy me this top and a bunch of the super expensive makeup Lauren uses."

Chuckling, I rested my hand behind her and twisted to see through the rear glass while backing out of the long driveway. I caught her blushing and wondered what she was thinking. "You're pretty with or without all that stuff."

"Aw, that's sweet, but I know. I'm going to give it to Lauren. Honestly, I was just mad about this stupid trip they're forcing me to go on, and happy to waste their money on stuff I don't want."

That sounded sort of selfish, but they were strict parents. I couldn't relate, so I didn't judge, even though I cringed a little inside. "It might not be so bad. They're probably trying to squeeze in more family time before you leave for school."

Emily shrugged. "I guess, but after eighteen years with them, I've done my duty."

Her frustration made it clear that her family wasn't the best topic of conversation. I caught myself frowning as I considered being aggravated with Dad because he wanted us to go on a vacation. I couldn't imagine it. A swell of gratitude for my relationship with him filled me as I changed the subject to something lighter. "Would Italian food be okay?"

"Italian is always a good choice. I love it!"

"Great, me too." I reached over and laced our fingers together.

She pulled my arm closer and inspected Owen's iron ring. "I noticed you wearing this the other day. I've never seen you wear jewelry before. Is it special?"

I cleared my throat. "No, I just liked it."

"Me too. It's cute."

Relief filled me as she looked out the window, the ring forgotten. What did I expect to happen? It's not like she'd call me out for mimic hunting.

I held Emily's hand at the quiet restaurant until we followed the hostess to the table, then I rested my fingertips on the silky material covering her lower back to guide her in front of me. I couldn't stop touching her, and I knew Owen had definitely checked out. If he hadn't, he'd be making fun of me and my tingles by now.

A snicker escaped me at the thought. We were becoming friends, and I was glad I liked the dude living in my head.

An hour later, we lingered at the table, having finished our pasta. Soft instrumental music played in the background as people chatted quietly at the booths surrounding us. Waitstaff moved with purpose, carrying large trays filled with garlic and oregano scented meals. We'd discussed everything from our friends to school to the family she had to visit, but I'd talk to her forever about nothing if she'd let me.

When the server returned, I glanced at Emily. "If I order dessert, will you have some?"

"Sounds good." She nodded.

"Tiramisu, please."

The waitress smiled. "I'll bring that out shortly."

Emily leaned over the white linen tablecloth and cut her eyes at the bar. Her lip curled with annoyance before she whispered, "I wasn't going to say anything, but it's getting rude. That dark-haired girl has been staring at you for a solid twenty minutes."

My eyebrows pulled down as I followed Emily's glare over the other diners, spotting the unfamiliar woman. She was a few years older than us and beautiful, with long black hair and eyes so blue they had to be colored contacts.

My brow furrowed as I faced my date. "I've never seen her before. She's probably looking at someone else; it's pretty crowded."

Emily glanced at her. "Yeah, I guess so."

A couple of minutes later, dessert arrived, and conversation flowed easily as we shared the chilled espresso-soaked goodness. Emily asked about work, so I told her about my first week.

"Your dad sounds nice. I can't imagine working with either of my parents; it'd be terrible." She grimaced. "There really isn't enough money in the world."

"Yeah, Dad and I are pretty close, and I think I'll like the job."

"That's great! I wish I knew what I want to do with my life."

"That's what school is for. You don't have to decide now."

"Yeah, but I wish I wasn't totally clueless."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out. You're so smart, you'll be able to do whatever you want. Try not to stress over deciding."

"You're right." Her phone trilled inside her purse. Checking the screen, Emily scoffed. "It's my mom reminding me I still have to finish packing. I've been putting it off."

I checked the time on my cell. "Wow, it's already 10:15. I'd better get you home if I want them to let you go out with me again."

After I paid the check, we got up to leave. A peek at the bar told me the woman was gone. I wanted to kick myself for not paying closer attention.

There was no reason to believe she was a mimic—they favored solitary, easy targets, and I was neither. But why was she staring at me?

As we walked outside, crickets chirped over the hum of passing traffic. I hooked my arm around Emily's waist, and my pulse raced as she hugged my side. At the truck, I opened the door for her, but she turned in front of me instead. "Mom will be waiting for me at home."

"Sorry I kept you out so late. I hope she won't give you a hard time about it."

Emily shook her head. "I don't care; it was worth it."

Surprising me, she reached behind my neck, tugging me down for a kiss. I wrapped her in my arms, letting her soft hair glide through my fingers as her palms slid to my chest.

A loud hoot from across the parking lot made her jump. A girl yelled, "Get you some!" Her friends giggled, and I snickered as Emily buried her face in my shirt.

Rolling her eyes and laughing, Emily said, "Jealous."

I chuckled as I backed up and helped her into her seat before closing her door, reminding myself I needed to install step bars for the folks under six feet. Strolling around the truck bed, savoring the scent of Emily's vanilla perfume that clung to my clothes, I almost bumped into someone, and stopped short.

It was the dark-haired beauty from the bar. Before I could react, she stepped forward and rested her icy hand on my cheek. I tried to pull away, but something held me in place as she leaned closer.

"Owen?" she whispered.

At the sound of his name, Owen said, "Hmm?" Shock shot through me as he saw the woman.

"Lilla!" he yelled, and I flinched. No wonder his reaction was powerful enough for me to feel.

I gawked. "Lilla? You said they killed her."

"They did, but this is her!" Bewildered joy tinted his voice.

Lilla grinned. "I've been looking for you, Owen."

I studied her and tried to make sense of things. "I thought she was old."

The corner of her lips tipped up. "I am, though it's impolite to discuss a woman's age."

"Sorry," I mumbled.

"Switch. Switch with me!" Owen yelled.

"I can't. I have to take Emily home." It was a good thing she didn't turn to find out what was taking so long.

Lilla said, "Don't worry. She doesn't realize she's waiting, and she won't remember a thing."

My jaw dropped. "Is she alright?"

"Of course, I've just... put her on pause. She'll be none the wiser." Lilla was friendly enough, but there was something about her I didn't trust. Maybe it was the calm way she paused someone.

"What am I supposed to do?" I scanned the parking lot, but cars sped by with no one paying us any attention. "I need to get her home."

"Alright, take her." Lilla tapped her fingernails on the tailgate. "I'll ride here. She won't notice. We'll talk once you've finished your date."

Owen sighed. "I want to know how Lilla's here. Can't you just leave Emily where she is and let me speak to her now?"

"No way. I'm not leaving Emily like that." I lowered my voice as a couple got in the car a few spaces away. "It'll only take a few minutes to drop her off. We'll switch, and you can talk to Lilla all night."

Owen's frustration slid through me, but Lilla said, "That will be perfectly fine; we've waited this long, Owen. We can be patient a little longer."

"Fine. Let's go," Owen grumbled, and Lilla lifted a booted foot to the tire before hopping gracefully into the bed of the truck.

I got in the driver's seat, and Emily smiled as though nothing had happened. "Thanks for dinner, Bash."

As I started the truck and crossed the parking lot, I tried to focus on Emily instead of the witch whose hair flickered in the rearview mirror as it blew in the wind. "Anytime."

Emily didn't seem to see anything out of the ordinary as she said, "When I get back, come over to swim, and I'll make us lunch."

I nodded. "That sounds great."

The ride to her house was quiet after that. Owen's excitement and confusion made it hard to concentrate on what was happening outside my head.

Owen had said Lilla was powerful, but I didn't think that meant she might be alive. Or that she was hot. I'd been picturing an old lady and would never have guessed this stunning woman was her.

I pulled up in Emily's driveway. As soon as my headlights hit the windows, the front door opened, and her mom stood, waiting. Her face was blank, but she crossed her arms and tapped the toe of one red bottom heel against the bricks of the front porch. Emily groaned. "I told you." She twisted toward me. "Thanks again. I had fun."

"Me too." I leaned closer but remembered her mom and stopped with a wink. Offering my hand instead, I said, "Shake goodnight?"

Emily laughed. "Definitely not."

She kissed me quickly before scooting to her door. I opened mine to hop out and walk her to her mom, but she said, "Stay here so you don't have to bother with her again."

"I don't mind—"

"Nah." She slid out. "I'll call you after we get settled at my aunt's place."

"Sounds good. You guys drive safely." With a goofy grin, I watched her leave.

Lilla caught the door before it closed and jumped into the seat next to me. Wide-eyed, I glanced from her to Emily as she waved goodbye from the porch, then followed her mom inside.

"Don't worry. They didn't notice me," Lilla said.

"Can we switch now?" Owen yelled, and his agitation filled me.

I huffed and left the driveway. A few houses from Emily's, I parked on the side of the road. "Okay, go ahead."

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