Searchlight: A Christian Romantic Suspense Novel (Crystal Book 1)

By Dayo Benson

In this introduction to the epic Crystal series expect glamor, nail-biting tension and gritty romantic suspense.

She wanted to be a singer, not a slave to an occult celebrity society.

Ambition
For as long as Crystal remembers, she has wanted to be a singer.
For as long as she remembers, her parents have feared the SOT, a celebrity cult that will make you famous, but destroy you in the process.
When Luke, leader of the SOT, sets his sights on Crystal will she have the courage to stand her ground, or will she give in?

Destruction
After the SOT deals a deadly blow, Crystal has no choice but to obey their orders to sign up for Searchlight. Searchlight is the biggest talent show on TV. With the SOT’s backing, Crystal could win, but is she willing to pay the price? When she unexpectedly finds love, she is afraid that darkly handsome Juda could become an SOT target too.
At Searchlight, her dreams and nightmares collide. According to Juda, it’s the darkest places that need light the most, but the SOT is much darker than Crystal imagined.

Heartbreak
Not everything is what it seems to be, and not everyone is who they say they are. Crystal is tough, but she’s only human. There’s only so much heartache and betrayal one girl can take.
Then she is tested and forced to make a choice.
It’s a choice between light and darkness.
Good and evil.
Faith and despair.
But choosing God could mean choosing death.

The SOT is back, and this time they mean business! Lexi escaped. Will her daughter, Crystal?

Searchlight is a suspenseful Christian Teen and New Adult fiction novel.

Fans of the popular Beauty for Ashes Series, by the same author, will love this new novel, which focuses on Crystal, supermodel Lexi Washington’s daughter.

Categories: Christian action and adventure, Christian fantasy, Christian fiction series, Christian paranormal, Christian romance, Christian supernatural fiction, Christian suspense, Christian New Adult fiction, Christian teen fiction, Christian teen romance, African American Christian fiction, Fame and celebrity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dayo Benson
• Release date: Nov 30, 2014

Dayo Benson

Dayo Benson is passionate about using fiction to convey powerful messages about redemption and God's love. When she is not writing she enjoys music, reading and going for long walks. She lives in North West England with her husband and their two beautiful daughters.

Book preview

Crystal

Searchlight

A Novel

By

Dayo Benson

Searchlight: Crystal 1

© Copyright 2014 by Dayo Benson

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the author. The only exception is brief quotations in a book review.

Some Scripture is taken from the New International Version and the King James Version of the Bible.

Visit the author’s website at www.dayobenson.com

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From the Back Cover

In this introduction to the epic Crystal Series expect glamor, nail-biting tension and gritty romantic suspense.

She wanted to be a singer, not a slave to an occult celebrity society…

Ambition

For as long as Crystal remembers, she has wanted to be a singer.

For as long as she remembers, her parents have feared the SOT, a celebrity cult that will make you famous, but destroy you in the process.

When Luke, leader of the SOT, sets his sights on Crystal will she have the courage to stand her ground, or will she give in?

Destruction

After the SOT deals a deadly blow, Crystal has no choice but to obey their orders to sign up for Searchlight, the biggest talent show on TV. With the SOT’s backing, Crystal could win, but is she willing to pay the price? When she unexpectedly finds love, she is afraid to pursue it for fear that darkly handsome Juda could become an SOT target too.

At Searchlight, her dreams and nightmares collide. According to Juda, it’s the darkest places that need light the most, but the SOT is much darker than Crystal imagined.

Heartbreak

Not everything is what it seems to be, and not everyone is who they say they are. Crystal is tough, but she’s only human. There’s only so much heartache and betrayal one girl can take.

Then she is tested and forced to make a choice.

It’s a choice between light and darkness.

Good and evil.

Faith and despair.

But choosing God could mean choosing death.

The SOT is back, and this time they mean business! Lexi escaped. Will her daughter, Crystal?

Fans of the popular Beauty for Ashes Series, by the same author, will love this new novel, which focuses on Crystal, supermodel Lexi Washington’s daughter.

Prologue

Rain pelted down from an overcast sky, matting his hair to his head and slickening his grip on the rifle he held in his hands. The weather forecast had predicted sun. Regardless, the rain was only a minor setback—not an impediment big enough to cause the sniper any issues. He clung to the shadows, watching as his target, President James McCarthy, exited the Presidential State Car. The President wore his trademark black suit and had a black woolen jacket folded over his arm.

The sniper adjusted his position, his brain automatically recalculating, taking into account the wind and rain, the President’s fast-paced walk, and the distance accumulating between them. The Foreign Secretary and a handful of others flanked the President.

The sniper’s finger touched the trigger. He stopped breathing, forced his body into statuesque stillness…and fired.

A second ticked by, then the President dropped to the ground. Sudden frantic chaos erupted from those around him. Mission Complete.

The sniper pushed the button on his watch that would alert his superiors. They could start making the necessary arrangements to usher in the revolution they desired. The President was dead.

He crouched down and placed the rifle on the floor gently, then left the scene; satisfied at a job well done, despite the adverse weather that would render most snipers inept. They didn’t call him the One Shot Wonder for nothing. He’d never had to shoot twice.

He found the hired car where he’d left it, and jumped inside. He inserted his earpiece. Good work, a voice said immediately.

The sniper was surprised. Luke was rarely forthcoming with praise towards him.

Senator Hounslow will take things from here, Luke continued. As for us, we will focus on acquiring new assets.

The sniper assumed that this was a group call. He wondered how many others were involved in this project.

The first asset is Crystal Layton-Washington. We’ve been monitoring her for a while. It’s time to make a move.

I have been watching her as you requested, another voice said. The sniper recognized it as Randall; one of Luke’s henchmen. Cameras have been installed around her family home and school.

I hear she likes bad boys, Luke said with a chuckle. So I’m assigning Seven to her. He will monitor her and give us feedback on how she is reacting as we move in on her.

The sniper started the car and began driving back to the car rental. Luke never used names in these phone calls, only codes.

Seven? came a disgruntled voice. He has the charisma of a buffalo. He’ll never win her loyalty. She’ll probably see right through him.

I have my reasons. Luke’s tone dared anyone else to dissent. Four would have been ideal, but he has other duties.

The sniper exhaled as he drove. Assassinations were easy, familiar and almost second nature to him. Now, he wanted to work with Senator Hounslow. Not woo some girl!

Chapter 1

Crystal would never admit it to anybody, since she was a self-proclaimed tomboy and proud of it, but she felt pretty sexy tonight. She smoothed a hand over the skirt of her black dress and crossed her legs. She didn’t miss the look of appreciation in Grayson’s eyes. A thrill rippled through her.

Would you like a drink? Grayson’s voice was slightly gravelly. He cleared his throat. I have a bottle of wine.

Crystal’s eyes widened a fraction before she caught herself. No need to let Grayson know that the thought of drinking alcohol concerned her. Um, just water, please.

Even if she had no qualms about drinking, it wouldn’t be smart to drink tonight. It was Thursday. They had school tomorrow.

Grayson trailed a finger over her bare shoulder and up her neck. Then, he ran his fingers through her long dark hair, which she’d left down tonight.

Crystal’s smile tightened slightly. He’d invited her over for a movie. She hoped the fact that she’d dressed up hadn’t made him think she wanted to do…anything else. Um, water will be just fine, she said to remind him that he was supposed to be getting her a drink.

Grayson nuzzled her neck. Crystal’s heart-rate picked up a little. He hadn’t stopped touching her since she’d arrived. It hadn’t bothered her at first, but he was leaning all over her now.

You smell so good. His voice was husky. He cursed under his breath. Worse than a curse because he used God’s name, too. You look so good.

He smelled good, too. And looked good. But for a moment, Crystal was distracted by his cursing. Well, she’d known he swore, known he didn’t give a flying fig about what she believed in. And yet, here she was; in his house, in his bedroom, just because he had a cute smile and nice eyes. Discomfort began to prickle down her spine.

Oh God, I’m so stupid aren’t I? I shouldn’t have come—

Before Crystal could complete the thought, Grayson’s lips crushed against hers. She let out a little yelp as he kissed her roughly—teeth and everything.

Ugh!

His fingers trailed through her hair again. Crystal held her breath, returning the kiss half-heartedly. When his lips left hers it didn’t come a moment too soon. Somehow, she’d imagined kissing Grayson to be a much more enjoyable experience. Not that she’d thought they’d actually kiss tonight, since they’d only been together a few days and she happened to think that kissing was a big deal and she’d thought her first kiss would be with someone extra-special and…

Crystal frowned.

Oh, my gosh, that was my first kiss!

Are you okay? Grayson asked, his brows drawn together in a V shape.

Crystal wiped the frown off her face and nodded quickly.

Sure? He tipped her chin up and looked into her eyes. What are you thinking?

Uh, that was my first kiss? Crystal blurted.

Grayson’s brows lifted.

Crystal couldn’t believe she’d admitted that to him.

His lips twitched with amusement. And how was it?

Terrible. Fantastic.

I’m glad.

Crystal regretted her lie, because his lips covered hers again. This is horrible, she thought. Jamie and Trixie were going to laugh and say ‘I told you so,’ when she told them. Her parents—Crystal shuddered—they would never find out. They couldn’t find out. They didn’t even know she was dating Grayson, never mind hanging out in his bedroom in a dress that looked like a chemise. Her mom would kill her for sure. Her dad would ground her for life.

Grayson pulled away and picked her up off the couch, lifting her like she weighed nothing. Crystal wanted to kick her legs like a child as he carried her towards the bed, which was huge and dominated one whole section of his enormous loft room.

What about that glass of water? she asked as he set her on the bed and settled beside her.

Grayson looked confused for a moment, and then he pulled away. He gave her a knowing look. You’re scared?

Uh oh. Um, scared of what?

Me? His eyes took on a teasing glint.

Crystal looked away.

His hand settled on her bare knee. He traced circles on her skin. Crystal slapped his hand away as it inched higher. Okay, he was making his intentions clear—a sure sign of a guy with his heart set on something. She needed to say something, now.

Grayson chuckled and then pushed off the bed. He headed for the door. Be right back.

Crystal exhaled once the door closed behind him.

I have to get out of here.

Unfortunately, her car was having repairs done, so Grayson had picked her up from home. She had no way of leaving. Maybe she could call Jamie. Jamie was out tonight, having dinner with her dad who she saw once a month and didn’t want to see. She’d probably appreciate the bail out.

Or maybe she could just talk to Grayson, like an adult, and tell him that they were moving a little too fast. That would be the mature thing to do—running away was a little immature.

Just then, Grayson returned. He set a glass of water on the nightstand beside his bed.

Nerves made Crystal’s throat feel tight. She really liked Grayson, and she didn’t want to mess things up with him, but he seemed to have different ideas for this date than she did. You invited me over for a movie.

Grayson’s hand settled on her bare knee again. His honey brown gaze slid to her lips. I’d rather make out with you than watch a movie, he replied in a low gravelly voice.

Crystal stared at the glass of water. This direct approach was a little off-putting. She raked her hair back and nudged him. Cool it.

Grayson looked at her for a moment—in the eyes. Then his hand slid off her knee. Crystal reached for the glass of water. The awkward situation had her on edge—dry mouth, racing pulse, the works! She lifted the glass to her lips. A moment later a loud sucking sound filled the room. She frowned and then realized she’d drained the glass. She lowered it and placed it back on the nightstand.

She chanced a glance at Grayson. He was watching her. Like a hawk. Crystal tore her gaze away and stared at the muted TV screen on the wall opposite the bed. She chewed on her lip, internally cursing the dress she was wearing. Hot dress regardless, Grayson should have more class than this.

Silence hung over them. Crystal wasn’t one of those weak girls who couldn’t stand up to a guy, she was no pushover; but she just wished she didn’t have to stand up for herself. She wished Grayson would just act sensibly and not make her have to do that.

We obviously have different goals for tonight, she said slowly.

Grayson said nothing.

She reached for her purse. I guess I better leave.

Grayson’s hand came to rest on her arm. Stay.

Crystal shook her head.

I’m sorry. We’ll watch a movie and…talk.

The word sounded so pained that Crystal had to smile. "I don’t look that good."

You have no idea, Grayson muttered. He reached across her and snapped up her glass with a sigh. I suppose I’ll get you a refill and get myself some wine. Sure you don’t want some?

Very sure.

He left the room again and Crystal groaned. She was glad he’d cooled it, but the whole exchange still left her feeling sour.

He smiled when he returned but he didn’t meet her eyes.

You okay? Crystal asked.

Yup. He bounced onto the bed and sipped from a glass of blood red liquid. Wine. If he was rearing to go without alcohol, what was he going to be like once he’d had a drink?

You’re so stupid, Crystal told herself. She took a swig of her water. Grayson was watching her intently. What? she asked.

Nothing. He sipped his wine again and then went to put on a movie.

Crystal moved to the loveseat with her water. A sudden headache started up behind her eyes. She was glad. She could use it as an excuse to leave.

Grayson joined her on the loveseat and draped an arm around her shoulders. She stared into her glass of water thoughtfully. Grayson was the school bad boy and yet she’d let him ensnare her. She knew better, so much better.

She frowned when she noticed something bubble at the bottom of her glass. She blinked. Did she imagine that? Her headache, which seemed to be intensifying by the second, made focusing hard, but she looked closely. Yes, something was effervescing at the bottom of her glass.

She looked at Grayson. His eyes were on the screen. A sudden woozy feeling came over her, draping over her mind like a blanket. Her eyes went fuzzy. Panic broke out inside.

Grayson looked at her. His gaze was assessing. Crystal wasn’t sure if she imagined it or if that was a smirk on his lips. All of a sudden, he was blurry.

Are you okay? he asked.

He drugged my water.

Crystal couldn’t believe it. Why would he do such a thing? Did he plan to take advantage of her against her will? Well, of course he did. She sprang to her feet and the bedroom walls swirled. Right. This was not good.

Grayson stood slowly. Crystal.

I need the bathroom. She tried to sound calm, like everything was fine. She picked up her purse.

Grayson gazed at her a moment and then turned and led the way.

Crystal followed, concentrating on just putting one foot in front of the other. She’d only had one sip of this second glass of water. Surely that wasn’t enough to knock her out.

Once in the bathroom she locked the door and sank to the floor, whipping out her phone. Her head was light. Her vision blacked out momentarily. Maybe one sip was enough. She blinked rapidly and fumbled with her phone. She had her dad on speed dial.

No, not her dad. He’d be mad. Her vision blacked out again, this time for a few moments. Crystal stifled a scream of alarm. She was going to pass out. She called her dad.

Pick up, she yelled internally as it rang. She didn’t have much time. She knew she didn’t. Black spots were floating before her eyes, widening and merging together. She could feel her heart racing in her chest.

Help me, God, she pleaded.

There was a knock on the bathroom door. Crystal, came Grayson’s voice. Crystal?

It was the last thing she heard before the world went black.

Her tongue felt like one big cotton ball that was choking her. Her head felt like a dozen dumbbells filled it, weighting it to the pillow. Crystal opened her eyes a crack. Why did she feel so rotten?

She would have jumped when she saw her little brother, Caleb, sitting in a chair by her bed, but she was physically unable to do so. Instead, her heart skittered. Caleb, she croaked.

Dad! Caleb yelled. She’s awake.

The shout was like a punch in the brain. Crystal opened her mouth to tell him to stop it, but her mom appeared in the doorway of her bedroom. The diamond watch she wore reflected the hallway light; making Crystal shut her eyes immediately. Her mom was supposed to be unveiling that watch at her Lexi Washington Luxury Watches show tonight. She wasn’t supposed to get home until around three in the morning. Crystal opened her eyes a crack, took one look at her mom’s face and knew she was in deep trouble.

What did she do? Was it related to why she felt so awful?

Grayson.

Crystal groaned as it all came flooding back. He’d slipped something into her drink. She’d called her dad. She let out a miserable whimper, wishing she could just melt into the bed or become invisible or something. Where was her dad? She couldn’t take her mom’s yelling right now. She’d rather face her dad’s quiet disappointment.

Excuse us, Caleb, Lexi instructed.

Caleb scrambled out of the room.

Lexi stepped in and, in the dimness of the room, the diamond watch at her wrist stopped twinkling. Thankfully. Would you like to tell me what you were doing in a guy’s house in the middle of the night? Lexi demanded. Dressed like a skank with no shame?

It hadn’t been the middle of the night, but Crystal didn’t dare correct her. She hadn’t told her parents about Grayson because he was exactly the kind of guy they were always telling her to stay away from. Well, now they knew. She closed her eyes. Tears welled up. She’d been foolish. She had no excuse.

You told your dad you were going out with Jamie. The sound of Lexi’s muted footsteps on the fluffy white carpet told Crystal that she was pacing. She only paced when she was really mad.

I thought you were smarter than this, Crystal. You should know a decent guy from a rapist by now. The pacing stopped. He was going to rape you.

I’m sorry, Crystal muttered.

You’re sorry? What if your dad hadn’t gotten there in time? What if you hadn’t been able to call him? What if he didn’t have his cell phone with him?

Crystal opened her eyes a crack. Lexi’s eyes were livid. She was barely restraining the full force of her fury. Crystal could tell.

Your dad slugged the guy, gave him a black eye, Lexi ground out. "He could very well be going to jail for assault, or intentional bodily harm. But it was all in defense of your stupidity."

Crystal shuddered. Her dad was so easy going and gentle. She couldn’t imagine him slugging anyone, not even a guy who planned to rape her.

I can’t believe you lied to us. Lexi started pacing again. I thought we were all open and honest with each other in this family.

Crystal covered her eyes. She was eighteen, but this telling off was making her feel like a child. I’m sorry, mom.

You should be! Not only have you put yourself in danger, you’ve made me late for my watch-unveiling event. An event you were supposed to accompany me to.

Crystal frowned. She’d forgotten all about that.

Get up right now, take that trashy dress off—throw it in the trash because I never want to see it again—and go apologize to your father.

Crystal dragged herself off the bed. Her head spun as she slipped out of the dress and put on her terrycloth robe. She glanced at the clock on the wall as she shuffled towards the door. It was midnight. She’d been out of it for close to four hours.

Disgraceful, Lexi muttered as Crystal headed for the stairs.

Tears formed in Crystal’s eyes as she descended the stairs slowly, gripping the handrail for support. She found her dad in the den, watching reruns of old NBA games. He’d almost made it into the NBA himself when he was younger, but he’d given up basketball to build his Jace Washington business empire. Jace glanced at her as she entered the room. The disappointment in his gaze made Crystal feel guilty.

I-I’m sorry, dad. Tears ran down Crystal’s face. Thank you for coming to get me.

I don’t need to tell you how disappointed I am, Jace replied quietly. He never said much when he was mad.

Crystal nodded. Had she thought she’d rather face her dad’s quiet disappointment? Her mom’s yelling was a million times easier to face than this. I won’t do it again.

Jace sat up and held his arms out. Crystal hurried over and hugged him, glad he wasn’t the lecturing type, but feeling as though she would thoroughly deserve it if he decided to lecture. Thank you, dad, she whispered, hugging him.

You’re grounded, he whispered back.

Crystal groaned but she hugged him tighter. She’d escaped Grayson’s evil intentions and that was what mattered most.

Chapter 2

Crystal felt sheepish as she paid for her sandwich at lunchtime the next day. She’d waited until the last two minutes of lunch hour, hoping the cafeteria would be less congested then—less people to stare at her. It was less congested, but she could still feel all the eyes on her, and was sure she could hear her name being whispered. Somehow word had gotten out about last night—probably Grayson spreading rumors. She didn’t know exactly what the rumor was, but she was sure it wouldn’t be the truth. Grayson was pathetic. From a distance, he’d seemed so cool and mysterious. That was an illusion, obviously; one that had been completely shattered now.

The bell rang as she left the cafeteria with her sandwich and made her way to Beatrix’s locker. As predicted, Beatrix was there, looking for something.

Hey, Trixie, Crystal said. Trixie would kill anyone who called her Beatrix.

Her best friend looked over her shoulder and raised a brow. Where’ve you been?

Lying in bed all morning, practically comatose, waiting for the effects of that awful date rape drug to wear off. Then her dad had taken her to the police station to report Grayson’s attempted rape. Then he’d brought her to school and they’d both been to see the Principal about what had happened. Long story. I’ll tell you later.

Something to do with Grayson, right?

The hallway door banged open and a bunch of guys from the school football team, among them Grayson and his buddies, swarmed into the hallway. One of Grayson’s eyes was bruised and swollen closed. Her dad did that?

Crystal promptly turned around and nudged Trixie who was still rummaging in her locker for a book that Crystal was sure she had left at home. Come on, Trixie, she said under her breath.

Powell will kill me if I show up to class without my copy of Twelfth Night.

Raucous laughter and the sound of a dozen footsteps echoed down the hallway. Share mine, Crystal snapped. She nudged Trixie out of the way and slammed the locker shut. Let’s go.

Trixie glanced over her shoulder as Crystal dragged her away. Are you avoiding him?

Who? Crystal asked, feigning ignorance.

Um, Grayson Lunt. Trixie’s dark brows lifted slightly. You know, the guy whose sudden appearance just caused you to flee in the opposite direction? May I point out that he’s in our Literature class so you’re going to see him anyway?

Crystal kept up her fast pace until she pushed through the double doors at the other end of the hallway.

I hear he dumped you? Trixie asked.

So that was the rumor.

If that’s the case, you need to just get over it, Trixie said. Running away like this just looks pathetic.

You just called me pathetic? Crystal shook her head. You’re so sympathetic sometimes, Trixie. It warms my heart. She started up the stairs to the English department, taking them two at a time.

You’re gorgeous, Crystal, Trixie pointed out, clambering up the stairs after her. No mean feat in her stiletto-heeled sandals. You’re rich, you’re talented. You could be the hottest, most popular girl in this school.

Crystal gritted her teeth. If Trixie was going to start that rant right now, it was going to take all her willpower not to vomit or scream at the top of her voice.

At the top of the stairs Trixie draped an arm around her shoulders. Yet, you prefer to hide behind shapeless clothes and no makeup—

"I hide behind no makeup?" An oxymoron if Crystal ever heard one. Weren’t girls usually accused of hiding behind too much makeup?

Yeah. You’re the kind of girl who should never have a guy dump you. Trixie tugged Crystal’s long curly ponytail. You don’t do yourself any favors. If you made just a little effort, guys would be worshipping you, bending over backwards to impress you, and peeing themselves in ecstasy whenever you deign to take the time to smile at them or even look their way.

Crystal tuned out. She didn’t need to listen to this. She glanced at her watch. We’re late.

Are you listening to me? Trixie asked. She paused and then her gaze fell on Crystal’s watch. Ugh, I hate that watch.

Crystal rolled her eyes. Her watch was plain with a leather strap. And she liked it.

Your mom owns a line of jeweled watches, each of them a masterpiece. Trixie looked exasperated. You could even have a custom one made if you wanted. So why are you wearing that hideous thing?

It does the job. Crystal let the sleeve of her shirt cover the watch. A watch didn’t need to be encrusted with diamonds. It just needed to tell the time. Lexi had given her a crystal watch for her birthday, but it was still in the box. Crystal had almost gagged when she’d received it. Crystal wearing a crystal watch. It didn’t get much tackier than that.

Thankfully, they’d arrived at the classroom. Trixie opened her mouth to continue her verbal tirade, but Crystal opened the door and hurried inside.

Mr. Powell gave them the obligatory grief that teachers were supposed to give late students, and then started droning on about Shakespeare’s brilliance. Ten minutes later, the door opened and Grayson strolled in with Ruby Palmer. Ruby’s shirt was slightly askew. Grayson tossed Crystal a look that made her eyes narrow.

Mr. Powell wasn’t impressed with their lateness. Crystal stared out of the window beside her as he yelled at Grayson and Ruby. Grayson was pathetic, trying to rub whatever he’d been doing with Ruby in her face. Seriously, that was so immature.

Ruby? Trixie hissed in Crystal’s ear. How could he dump you for her? That’s insulting. Blasphemy.

Crystal wished she would just shut up. Ruby could have Grayson.

Think happy thoughts.

She tried to come up with something pleasant to think about. Nothing came to mind. She stared at a passage in her literature book. Before long she was doodling in her notebook. A treble clef. A few random song lyrics.

Half way through the class Powell gave them a set of questions to answer and told them they could use the school library if they wanted to do some research.

Trixie looked at Crystal, one brow raised. Her expression said: ‘want to go to the studio?’

Crystal nodded.

Of course, I will be checking the library periodically to make sure that’s where you are, Powell said, casting them a knowing glare.

Crystal tossed her books into her purse. For some reason, her gaze wandered to Grayson. He was watching her. She promptly looked away and headed for the door.

Either you start presenting yourself better, Trixie said once they were in the hallway, continuing their conversation from before as though they had never been interrupted. Or you’re going to have to lower your standards. You always like the baddest, hottest guys around.

Crystal walked fast. Trixie scuttled after her in her stilettos. If she walked any faster she’d probably fall flat