Ruin (Rhodes #1) by Rina Kent

                             Or crazy.

                             “I’m scared of the unknown.” Part truth.

                             My friend sighs. “You’re brilliant and lovable, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

                             “That’s what terrifies me. My entire life’s painted. Sometimes, it seems surreal like this isn’t how it supposed to be and something needs to happen for my whole existence to become right.” I bore my eyes into her soft green ones. “What if something goes wrong, Syd?”

                             “Then let it go wrong!” She waves her hands in the air. “It’s an authentic fear. It proves you’re human, not some perfect bitch no one can measure up to.”

                             Despite my biting mood, a chuckle leaves my lips. “I give that kind of impression?”

                             “It’s worse than that, believe me. I’m being nice because I’m your friend.” Sydney laughs. “But seriously, you’re only twenty-three. Stop thinking like a middle-aged woman and live your goddamn life.”

                             Sydney is right. Maybe I’m being insecure for no reason.

                             So what if I met a serial-killer-like stranger in a dark alley?

                             What if I had nightmares about his darker-than-the-alley eyes every night since?

                             What if I sense those same eyes on me every second? Even this instant?

                             Worse, what if I want to keep feeling his eyes on me?

                             My current state is dangerously close to an erupting storm or a bubble ready to burst any second.

                             “Mae? Mae!”

                             I blink at Sydney. “Huh?”

                             “We passed the turn for our regular boutique. What’s wrong with you?”

                             “Sorry.” I offer an apologetic smile and turn the car around.

                             Focus, Mae. Snap out of it!

                             The task doesn’t prove hard once Sydney and I become immersed in a shopping spree. Dresses after shoes after bags, and I’m one hundred per cent with my friend.

                             “Try this one on.” Sydney hands me a wine-red gown. “I love the colour, but it wouldn’t suit me.”

                             “Isn’t it too revealing?” I inspect the bared back and the short length. “I feel like I have the choice of covering either my cleavage or my butt.”

                             “That’s the point!” Sydney snaps her fingers and coerces me toward one of the fitting rooms.

                             I laugh, but the sound dies on my lips. Goosebumps erupt all over my skin. My fingers clutch the soft material as if it’s a shield. A dark, but familiar foreboding envelops my mind. My feet twitch, fighting the impulse to whirl around and look at the shadows.

                             At him.