Chapter 3

[OP LLLIN: This bitch! She just won't tell me her pen name! Why is her mouth so damn tight?!]

[FFFYEP: Then think faster, you've got three days!]

My boyfriend Casey came home from work. The second he saw Linda on the couch, his eyes lit up.

"I picked up steaks to celebrate Jessica's offer. Linda, eat with us! The more the merrier."

"Don't mind if I do, Casey."

At dinner, Linda was unusually animated.

She kept toasting Casey, asking about funny stories from his job, eyes practically sparkling with admiration.

Under Linda's careful prodding, Casey ended up sharing all kinds of mundane details from our life together—including how I'd often jump up in the middle of the night when inspiration hit.

"Really? That sounds exhausting."

Linda rested her chin on her hand and gave Casey a wounded pout.

"I've been dying to read the great novelist's masterpieces, but Jessica's too stingy to share!"

It was almost funny. Casey ate up that pouty act every time.

Casey opened his mouth to speak. Before he could, I tapped my fork against his plate.

"Casey, can you grab the black pepper for me?"

"Oh, sure."

He got up and went to the kitchen.

Linda's expression flipped. She ducked her head and started typing under the table at lightning speed.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, when I went to the kitchen for water, I checked my backup phone. The post had a new reply.

[OP LLLIN: God, I'm so pissed! Her boyfriend was THIS close to spilling and she cut him off!]

[FFFYEP: Don't sweat it, you're just getting started. The more nervous she gets, the more it means she's hiding something dirty. Keep working on the boyfriend. Men are easy—a little wine, a few compliments, they'll spill anything.]

[Y: Yeah sweetheart, from what you said her boyfriend sounds pretty nice? Is he hot?]

[OP LLLIN: HOT! Tall, great body, makes good money. That bitch doesn't deserve him!]

[FFFYEP: Whoa! Then go for it sweetheart! Steal her man! Win the career AND the man, see her face then!]

[OP LLLIN: Good point!]

When I got back to the dining room, Linda was leaning forward to pour Casey wine, top button open just enough to put on a show.

Casey smiled politely and leaned back a little. But I could see his eyes were halfway down her shirt—he just wasn't going to be obvious with me sitting there.

In my head, I started shipping the two of them. Honestly, they were a perfect match. Trash boyfriend, snake girlfriend—a match made in hell.

"Linda, you seem a little tipsy. Casey has an early meeting tomorrow, he can't drink any more."

"Oh come on, this is barely anything."

Linda's cheeks were flushed, but her eyes were perfectly sharp.

"Don't be a buzzkill, Jessica. Casey and I are having such a nice time. Right, Casey?"

Casey set down his wine glass.

"Jessica's right. Maybe let's call it a night."

Linda swayed as she stood up. She pressed a hand to her forehead, voice slurred.

"I'm so dizzy... I think I really do need to crash here tonight. Can you help me to the guest room, Jessica?"

"Sure. Come on, I'll get you settled."

I went over and took her arm.

Casey and I cleaned up the kitchen and dining room. The whole time I kept an ear on the guest room.

About an hour later, the door opened.

Linda saw us and gave us an apologetic smile.

"I've sobered up. I'll head home and let you two have your space."

"It's late, you shouldn't go alone. Let me drive you—"

Casey started.

"No, no, it's fine."

Linda waved him off and grabbed her purse.

"I called a friend, they're already downstairs. Jessica, let's catch up another time."

I walked her to the door. Watched her step into the elevator with that excited little expression on her face. The doors slid shut.

She'd taken the bait.

I rushed back to the living room and grabbed my phone.

[OP LLLIN: HAHAHA! God is on my side! I know her pen name now!!!]

[FFFYEP: Beautiful! Go search it! See what she's written!]

[Y: Sweetheart!! How'd you find it so fast?! Go dig up her dirt!]