Sweet Liar (Candy #2)(24)

Jonah scratched the back of his neck and gestured toward the door. “I called a locksmith, but he didn’t want to come over until the snow stopped.”

I glanced over and saw the dead bolt was bent. “You broke in? Can’t you pick locks or something?”

He smiled before his expression turned sheepish. “No, actually I can’t, and I only forced my way in here because I got worried when you wouldn’t answer your door or your phone.” Jonah released a slow breath. “Looks like the snow is about done. Maybe the locksmith can fix it before school starts.”

“School?” My brows lifted.

“There’s a delayed opening because of the storm. Looks like you won’t miss it after all.” He glanced at his watch. “First bell is in an hour.”

Ugh. School was the last place I felt like going today, but I was too drained to argue. With a sigh, I busied myself with hanging up my coat and gathering my things. Perspiration still coated my skin, and I told Jonah I was going to take a shower.

While I stood under the spray, I thought of everything that happened since last night, all the things I’d learned at Lorraine’s, and the terrible news Theo had told me.

I pictured him with tears trailing down his face. When my mother was sick, I’d felt so helpless, watching her suffer and unable to do anything about it. Was it possible that I could help Theo? The information in the files was over six years old. Where was the doctor who ran the clinical trial now? What happened to the drugs they used? How could I find out?

After my shower, I pulled on the leggings and sweater I’d brought into the bathroom with me. I was towel drying my hair as I walked out into the living room and saw Jonah sitting on the couch, reading something on his phone.

“I’ll make us something to eat,” I called to him as I walked into the kitchen. Since I was hungry, I couldn’t cook something and not offer him some. After talking to Lorraine, I was softening toward Jonah.

As I stood in the kitchen, wondering what to make, I thought of my mother’s recipe book still in my bag. Now that it held Lorraine’s address, I intended to keep it hidden, especially with Jonah and his father coming and going as they pleased.

But that meant I couldn’t use it to make anything. You’d think I would have memorized a few recipes after all this time, but I hadn’t. I liked relying on that book. After looking through the cabinets, I decided to make pancakes from a mix I found, thinking they would be quick and easy.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Jonah’s tall frame filling the kitchen doorway. I hadn’t heard him approach. He didn’t say anything, just watched me, and even though he was making me self-conscious, I continued what I was doing, trying not to let him distract me.

He stayed completely silent as I piled the pancakes on a plate and set them on the table. When I sat down, he did too, and he finally spoke.

“You going to be okay at school?”

I glanced at him, once again pushing down the instinct to argue. I had my own reasons for going to school today. “I doubt I’ll be able to concentrate, but I guess I could try.”

Jonah nodded, pleased as he took a bite. Abruptly, he stopped chewing, grabbed the napkin beside his plate, and spit his food into it. “What the hell? Are you trying to poison me?”

Curious, I took a small nibble of my pancake and winced. It tasted rancid, like cardboard laced with battery acid. I grabbed the box off the counter and searched for a date. A date just after the new millennium was barely visible. It was fifteen years old. Oops.

“Sorry. These expired when Bill Clinton was president.”

He stood up and got a glass of water. “Is that all you have here? Ancient pancake mix? I’ll take you food shopping later.”

Jonah was trying to insinuate himself into my life, and I didn’t think it was a good idea, not with all the secrets I was keeping. “You don’t have to do that. I can just use the online order form. That’s what I always do.”

“I don’t mind taking you. The Jeep is safer in the snow.”

I sighed. The Jeep might have been safe but depending on Jonah wasn’t, not for my heart or for my plans.

“If I order the groceries, they get delivered. I don’t have to go out at all.”

His lips pressed together.

I wasn’t sure why he was so interested in how I got my groceries, but since he was already cranky, I figured I might as well tell him my decision.

“By the way, I’ve decided I want to help my father by talking to the Hoyts for you.”

Jonah blinked, taking a moment to catch up. “Candy, I don’t think—”

“I know you don’t like it, but I’ve made up my mind.”

He watched me as if he were weighing his next words carefully. “Look, I’m not sure you’re in the best state of mind to make that decision right now.”

I crossed my arms. “I’m in a perfectly sound state of mind. Are you going to use the fact that I got upset a little while ago against me?”

“No. Of course not.” He sounded offended.

“What would your father think about this?”

His eyes narrowed. “About what?”

“The way you keep trying to talk me out of it.”

Jonah’s expression tightened.

“He doesn’t know, does he?”