#Chapter 85: Shadows in the Night

Olivia

Once I stepped inside Angela’s house, it was like I’d walked into a whole different world.

The air buzzed with chatter, whispers, and laughter as the women of our small town mingled and gossiped about everything under the sun.

I found it overwhelming, but at the same time, oddly exciting.

“Liv!” Angel’s voice called out. I glanced around, then smiled gently as I saw her squeezing her way through the throng toward me. She scurried up to me and hugged me tightly, then kissed me on both cheeks. “I’m so glad you came.”

“I couldn’t miss it,” I said, managing a stiff smile as I looked around at the sea of faces, many of whom were staring at me.

Angela, noticing my apprehension, put her arm around me. “Come on,” she said, squeezing me gently as she began to guide me away from the door. “Let’s get you some punch. I promise you’ll have a lot of fun.”

A few minutes later, I found myself settling onto the couch as I clutched my glass of punch and listened to the swirling gossip around me.