Perfect by L.A. Kessler

Author:L.A. Kessler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Thriller
Publisher: Lisa's Lair
Published: 2022-04-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Juliet blinked, squinting as the morning sun peeked through the window shade. For a moment, she was completely disoriented. Where was she? She started to move and found an arm around her waist.

Billy.

She turned her head and smiled. He was sleeping behind her, his arm holding her close. They were both still fully clothed on top of the sleeping bags. When had they finally fallen asleep? All she could remember were their big plans for a new comic series.

She rested her hand over his and started to lift his arm to slip out, but his grip on her tightened. She peered over her shoulder at him.

He almost smiled, but his eyes were still closed. “Going somewhere?”

She laughed. “I think you’re the one going. I have to stay here and hide, remember?”

“My mom.” He let go of her, reached for the cell phone, and groaned. “Shit. It’s almost eight. I’ve got to get ready.”

While Billy rushed around grabbing clothes out of his duffel and brushing his hair, she sat up, staring at her hands. No gloves. There was an imprint of the sleeping bag’s zipper in her skin. An imperfection.

For a split second, adrenaline dripped into her bloodstream before she remembered her days of being perfect were behind her.

She got up and retrieved the hairbrush and toothbrush they’d bought yesterday. Without realizing it, she counted the brushstrokes, just like Momma. When she finally noticed, she set the brush down, repulsed. How long would it take for a lifetime of programming to wear off?

Her reflection in the mirror reminded her of the danger. The bruises on her neck had shifted from purple and red to black-and-blue. Pretty. She frowned and walked away.

Zack came around the corner with a white bag in hand. “Brought you some donuts.”

“Donuts?”

His brow creased, and gradually, his eyes widened. “Oh my god. No. This can’t be. You’ve never had a donut?”

She shook her head sheepishly. “Are they good?”

He pulled out something fluffy and round. It looked like a bread roll topped with chocolate. He handed it to her. “Food of the gods!” He plucked out another braided one for himself. “Careful. Yours has a surprise in the middle.”

She took cautious bite and let out a euphoric groan. “Wow.”

Juliet had tasted chocolate before. Her mother coaxed good behavior from them with little squares of Hershey’s bars. One square per week. She’d said they couldn’t risk more. One pimple and they wouldn’t be perfect anymore.

But Juliet had never bitten into a cream-filled donut with chocolate frosting before. The single square of a chocolate Hershey bar wasn’t even in the same league as this.

Zack licked the sugar off his fingertips and raised a brow. “Well?”

She grinned. “Delicious.”

“Right?” He dug into the bag. “Here, try one of these. It’s an old-fashioned.”

It didn’t look old-fashioned to her, but she took it anyway, humming in delight.

Billy walked in and chuckled. “Your first donuts?”

She nodded. “They’re amazing.”

Billy pulled a slender rectangular donut with chocolate frosting from the bag and nudged Zack. “We need to get going.

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