Pretty Little Devils Read Online Free PDF Page B

mention it. And we all go home happy.” Sylvia spread her arms. “Now you know the lay of the land, so to speak.”
    â€œThanks,” Hazel said. She craned her neck, peering into the crowded kitchen.
    Sylvia crossed her arms and tilted her head. “Looking for anyone in particular?” she asked.
    â€œMaybe,” Hazel replied coyly.
    â€œHe’ll be here,” Sylvia murmured, “I invited him—just for you.”
    Someone cranked up Gwen Stefani on the stereo. The bass thumped so loudly that paintings shook against the wall. Sylvia rolled her eyes. “Gotta go check on that. We keep things quiet for the neighbors so we don’t get busted.” She air-kissed Hazel and said, “Mingle, ma cherie. Go on, have some fun.”
    Hazel worked her way into the kitchen, back toward the counter where she had spotted a bowl of guacamole and tortilla chips. She was about to scoop up some guacamole when someone bumped into her from behind. She dropped the chip into the bowl.
    â€œHey!” She laughed and whirled around. It was Brandon.
    â€œHey, yourself,” he said. “Do you know where Ellen is?”
    Hazel looked over his shoulder. “There,” she said nodding toward the doorway. Ellen caught her eye and came up beside them. She was frowning. Upset.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Hazel asked.
    â€œCharlie’s worried because we can’t find his cat, Isotope,” she said, her brow creased with concern. “Hazel, have you seen him?”
    She shook her head. “No. Did he forget to shut his door or something?”
    â€œHe says he didn’t. He’s always so careful.” Ellen sighed. “I’ve looked everywhere for that cat.”
    â€œYou’re such a good sitter,” Brandon said. He wrapped his fingers around Ellen’s tiny wrist. “Come on. Maybe he’s out back. I can help you look for him.”
    Ellen gave him a pained look, but her cheeks went pink. “He doesn’t like strangers.”
    â€œI’m not a stranger,” Brandon insisted. “I’m here all the time.”
    Hazel took in Ellen’s slightly embarrassed expression.
    Whoa. Is something going on between Brandon and Ellen? she wondered. Everyone knows Brandon is bad news.
    Ignoring Brandon’s hand, which was still on her arm, Ellen turned to Hazel. “Isotope is an indoor cat. If he got out…” She made a little face. “Charlie doesn’t need any more grief. He just lost his mom.”
    â€œYeah, I heard.” Hazel shook her head. “It’s a Siamese, right?”
    â€œSeal point. But yeah. Same look.”
    â€œIf I see him, I’ll grab him for you.”
    Ellen smiled gratefully.
    Brandon searched inside his letter jacket for a pack of Marlboros. He slid one out and put it to his lips.
    â€œI could use one of those,” Carolyn said, coming up from behind. She snatched the cigarette from his mouth and then put out her hand. Brandon sighed, handing over the lighter, and pulled out another cigarette for himself. Carolyn gave Hazel a mischievous grin while she lit hers.
    â€œYou’ll have to excuse me for snapping at you back there,” she said with an exhale of smoke. “You guys just took me by surprise.”
    â€œOh, um, yeah. No problem.” Hazel waved her hand like it was nothing. “Sorry we burst in like that.”
    Brandon squinted at Hazel, trying to place her. “Are you new?” he guessed.
    Hazel blinked. Maybe she wasn’t popular, but she hadn’t been completely invisible for the past two years…had she?
    â€œNo, I’m not new. Are you blind?” she shot back.
    Brandon gaped, surprised, and waited for her to continue.
    â€œShe’s Hazel,” Ellen filled in the blanks. “Hazel Stone.”
    â€œI’m in your geometry class,” Hazel reminded him. “We see each other every day.”
    â€œOh. Sorry.” Brandon