Page 16 of SapphicLover69


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“I found it fascinating if not more than a little upsetting,” Beth added. “I don’t understand the human species. No matter how much we evolve, we still have such a long way to go.”

“My imagination was peaked by the story of the coffin girls,” Tammy commented. “And I’m feeling a little inspired by Jean Lafitte’s tale. Maybe a historical fiction action-adventure featuring a woman pirate. I know the captive falling for the pirate who kidnapped her is a little cliché, but I could conceive of a more original plotline.”

“Does everyone want to sit and have a drink before we walk back to the hotel?” Winter suggested.

“Please!” I answered.

We sauntered into the closest bar and plopped into metal chairs in need of being washed, or at least wiped down. Everyone continued to discuss the chilling accounts while I took a moment to observe my company of extraordinarily authentic women. None seemed the least bit concerned over their appearances or even what anyone else thought of them. I envied that. I had improved, though, and no longer got upset or distressed when a reader left a negative review. There’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like a book or an author’s style. Why should I care what random people think? But my fellow authors at the conference? That was different. I wanted them to like me, to see me as worthy of belonging, to accept me into the fold. I suppose that’s what Tammy, Beth, Elaine, and Winter had already done.

When our drinks arrived, I pulled out my phone and opened an app. As I typed, Tammy asked, “What are you doing?”

“Getting us an Uber WAV,” I said. “There’s no reason for us to walk all the way back to the hotel after all the other walking we’ve done. Here, I’m chatting with a WAV driver now.”

“Aspen, you don’t have to do that,” Beth protested. “We’ll pay half.”

“No, it’s alright. I have an Uber account and I didn’t have to pay for the hotel, so …” I stopped talking. I hadn’t mentioned presenters got a free ride and suddenly thought they might not think it was fair. “There, all booked,” I announced. “He’ll be here in thirty minutes. The app shows me the driver’s location and counts down the minutes until he reaches the curb.”

“That’s handy,” Winter commented. She was only two sips into her hurricane and already looked loopy. I knew I was safe from intoxication with my daiquiri and could keep a sharp eye out for threats.

Elaine laid a hand on my arm and peered sincerely at me. “Thank you, Aspen, for so many things.” She brushed a kiss on my cheek before returning to the discussion of ghostly landmarks and tales of terror.

Isaid goodnight to sleepy, buzzed Winter, who was inebriated enough to hug me and whisper, “Aspens are trees, really pretty trees.” Then I bid goodnight to glowing, inspired Elaine, who could hold her liquor but not hug me with her arms full of purchases. Tammy, Beth, and I exited the elevator onto our floor and waved as the doors closed.

“That was fun,” Beth commented as we started down the hall. “I get why Tammy has invested so much time in helping you,Aspen. You’re good people. I just hope …” Her voice trailed off as we neared my door. A box lay on the floor in front of it.

“I’ll check it out,” Tammy declared and trotted forward before I could respond.

“I didn’t order anything.” The gnarled knife of anxiety twisted in my gut. I had a bad feeling about this.

Tammy bent over and carefully picked up the box. It was long and narrow like what flowers come in. My dark mood lifted, and hope rang through me. Maybe they were from an admirer. R.B. or Selina perhaps? No, probably Demi. She was sweet, but I wasn’t interested in her or Nan. Now, those fabulous, desirable women who get all the accolades were another matter, and they had invited me out tonight.

As Beth and I approached, Tammy ordered, “Wait.” She sniffed the package, tested its weight, and shook it. Gingerly, she untied the ribbon and lifted the lid.

I didn’t wait. I padded over and peeked inside. A terrifying chill splintered through my senses, and I shuddered in disbelief. Sucking in a gasp, I leaned one hand on the doorframe and reached for the box with the other.

“No,” Tammy barked. “I’ll do it.”

The box was packed with black roses wrapped in black tissue paper. While I tried to steady myself and breathe, Tammy plucked out a card.

“It says, ‘Later,’ and is signed SL69.” Her features hardened with fury as she passed me the card.

I stared at it in disbelief. “It’s just a sick prank,” I said, straining every muscle so I didn’t shake like a leaf in the wind.

“It’s a threat,” Tammy barked.

I felt it too, deep down in my marrow. It was grim and sinister and, for the first time since SapphicLover69 wrote her initial, twisted message, I was truly frightened—terrified even. I leaned heavier on the doorframe, my head spinning with allthe gruesome tales of vampires and murder, and chasing Teresa, who turned out to be harmless. I thought about the lurking fan who hung around acting miffed and bored. What was that about? Trying to clear the clutter, I shook my head, which only made it pound worse. This couldn’t be happening.

Beth rolled up beside me and took the box from Tammy. “We have to report this.”

“I don’t know,” I said in a breathy tone, void of strength. I slid my keycard into the slot and went inside, leaving the door open for them to follow. Needing to sit down before my knees gave way, I lunged for the nearest chair.

“Of course, we have to report it!” Tammy bellowed. She shut the door, flicked on the light, and turned the lock. Her expression darkened as she surveyed the suite, stepping deeper inside. “I don’t remember your room beingthismessy.”

Focused on reaching a seat, I hadn’t even noticed. Alarms blared in my head as I glanced around at the shambles, unable to respond because of the humongous lump blocking my throat. My leftover books lay strewn around haphazardly with their covers ripped and pages torn out. The expensive clothes I had carefully hung in the closet were in heaps, and I hated to think they had been ruined too. The cleaning staff had surely made the bed, yet the covers were yanked askew, and the pillows had been sliced open with stuffing spilling out of them. On the mirror, a word scrawled in red lipstick—SOON.

My whole body shook, and I feared I’d be sick. “How did she get into my room?” I wailed.

“I don’t know,” Tammy growled as she conducted a quick search. “But she’s gone now.”