He was fascinating, and his mom just the same, telling me stories of her time working as a flight attendant and traveling all around the globe. She did a stint on a few private jets and told us stories about a couple of A-list celebrities she flew with, although those memories were a little foggier than the others. Jake and I were enthralled either way, and before I knew it, the plates were empty, and the clock on the wall was reading nine thirty at night.

I stretched out under the table, accidentally bumping into Jake’s feet, but he didn’t seem to mind, leaving them right where they were. I grabbed my plate and reached for Jake’s, taking it into the kitchen and washing it before Vivianne realized what I was doing.

“You really didn’t have to do that,” she said, arms crossed and head shaking, her light brown bob catching the kitchen light.

“It was honestly the least I can do.”

“Well, you’re welcome to come here anytime you want.” She pulled me in for one more hug. “It was great seeing you again, Noah.”

“You too, Ms. Perez.”

“Viv,” she said with a flourish of her hand. She walked us to the front door, moving with a bounce in her step that wasn’t there before. Her mood had clearly lifted from when we had first arrived. It made me wonder if we should stay longer, but Jake was already stepping onto the porch, and the last thing I wanted to do was overstay my welcome.

“See ya next time,” I said, leaving Jake and Vivianne to their goodbyes by themselves. I heard him ask if she needed anything else just as I was getting into my car, his voice cutting off as I closed the door.

My phone buzzed. I figured it was probably someone from the book club wanting to check in with us. Instead, I saw my neighbor’s name across my screen.

“Hey, are you home?” he asked.

I shot a quick text back. “No, why?”

“That’s what I figured. But I saw a light on in your kitchen, did you leave it on?”

My eyebrows drew together. I racked my brain, trying to remember if I flicked the light on, but why would I do that when I had left my house while it was bright as hell outside?

“No, I don’t think that was me. Is it still on?” I texted back.

“Nope, it’s not.”

“Weird….. thanks for letting me know.”

“Of course. I’ll keep an eye out.”

I texted back two orange hearts and a thanks before stuffing the phone back into my pocket. A sharp chill crisscrossed down my spine. I looked in the rearview mirror, suddenly picturing a masked figure rising up from my back seat with a bag ready to close over my head.

The door opened, Jake getting in, smelling like his mom’s cooking.