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"All right," Spencer answered These were the first non-hostile words he’d said to her in days

Light reflected off her dad’s platinum Rolex His face looked almost…repentant "I picked up so them up a little"

Spencer blinked As soon as he said it, she could smell them in the oven Her dad knew the cinnamon rolls from the Struble Bakery were Spencer’s favorite food in the world The bakery was a hike froet them It was clearly a sticky-bun olive branch

"Melissa tells us you’re taking someone to Foxy," he said "Anyone we know?"

"Andrew Cas raised an eyebrow "Class president Andrew Campbell?"

"Yes" It was a touchy subject Andrew had beat out Spencer for the post; her parents had seemed devastated that she’d lost Melissa had been class president, after all

Mr Hastings looked pleased Then he lowered his eyes "Well, it’s good that you’re…I lad this mess is over"

Spencer hoped her cheeks weren’t bright red "Uave her a little smile "She’ll come around" He patted the door frauilty and weird The cinna downstairs al

Her cell phone rang, startling her She dove for it

"Hey there" Wren sounded happy and boisterous when she picked up, which instantly irritated Spencer "What’s up?"

"Where have you been?" Spencer demanded

Wren paused "So out before our shift today"

"Why didn’t you call earlier?"

Wren paused "It was loud in the bar" His voice became distant, annoyed

Spencer clenched up her fists "I’m sorry," she said "I think I’s, stressed?" She could tell Wren was shed "It’s ih," Wren said "Blow it off Come meet me"

Spencer paused Her notes were scattered haphazardly across her desk On the floor was this week’s quiz The B ht," Wren groaned "So tomorrow, then? Can I have you all day?"

Spencer bit the inside of her cheek "I can’t tooing with this boy from school"

"A date?"

"Not really"

"Why didn’t you ask me?"

Spencer frowned "It’s not like I like him He’s just this kid from school But, I mean, I won’t, if you don’t wantyou a hard ti out on Sunday" Then he said he had to run--he needed to get to his shift at the hospital "Good luck with your work," he added "I’ure it out"

Spencer stared wistfully at the CALL ENDEDon her phone’s screen Their conversation had lasted a whopping one ure it out," she whispered to the phone With about a week’s extension

As she passed her computer, she noticed a new e-mail at the top of her inbox It had co to her father

Want the easy A? I think you knohere to find it --A

Spencer’s stolanced out the , but there was no one on her lawn Then she stuck her head outside, checking to see if someone had installed a surveillance camera or put in a rayish-brown stone exterior

Melissa kept her high school papers on the family co Spencer wouldn’t even have to ask Melissa for permission to look at the papers--they were on the shared drive

But how the hell did A know that?

It was te Except…no Anyway, Spencer doubted A wanted to help her Was this an elaborate trap? Could A be Melissa?

"Spencer?" her mother called from downstairs "Dinner!"

Spencer minimized the e- was, if she took Melissa’s paper, she’d have time to finish her other homework and see Wren She could switch soain

Her co, and she turned back

PS You hurtto hurt you Or uys better watch out--I’ll shohen you least expect it --A

21

SOME SECRET ADMIRER…

Friday afternoon, Hanna sat on the soccer bleachers, watching the Rosewood Day boys’ tea Prep Only she couldn’t really focus Her nored, the skin around her thu, and her eyes had become so red from sleeplessness, it looked like she had pinkeye She should have been hiding at ho on the bleachers ay too public