Austensibly Ordinary by Alyssa Goodnight Page B

filmy little wrap, and pulled the door wide.
    It wasn’t my mother. And sidekick or not, it looked like I was going to have to come clean on a few things with Ethan.
    â€œWhoa!”
    As responses went, it was certainly gratifying.
    â€œDid you decide to cancel your plans and tag along with Courtney tonight instead?”
    â€œWhat?” I propped my fists on my hips and waited, my synapses trudging along in confusion.
    â€œEliot Ness, Bonnie and Clyde . . . the Driskill?” When I didn’t respond, he added, “Are you packin’ a flask under that skirt? Because it doesn’t look like there’s room—”
    â€œNo, and no. What are you doing here, Chavez?” I snapped, simultaneously wanting to share my secrets and keep them to myself.
    He held up his hands to ward off further waspishness. “Just wanted to let you know that I’ll be out of town next week . . . in case you’re looking for me.”
    I dropped my arms and frowned in confusion. “The whole week? Where are you going?”
    He suddenly looked vague, suspiciously vague. Ethan never looked vague. Slippery, cagey, evasive . . . yes. “I just have some things to take care of.”
    â€œIn the middle of the semester? Can’t it wait until the Thanksgiving holiday?”
    â€œNo, Lady Buttinski, it can’t. And why are you so concerned?”
    â€œI’m not.”
    â€œNo? Okay, well then, are you going to tell me where you’re going, all vamped up?”
    I crossed my arms over my chest, the corset top tightening up. Ethan flicked his gaze down and blinked twice before whipping it back up again. I waited till I had his full attention before answering. “No. I’m not,” I said flatly. “You keep your secrets, I’ll keep mine. And I’ll see you when you get back.” I smiled, trying my damnedest to convey that he was missing out on some really good stuff.
    Ethan’s jaw tightened fractionally. “Isn’t that a little juvenile?”
    â€œQuite possibly,” I said. “I’m good with that.” I raised an eyebrow and pressed my lips together, refusing to break even though it would be really nice to tell somebody about the secret messages.
    Ethan held my gaze for one last excruciating moment before turning to walk back down the stairs and mysteriously disappear for one long week.

Chapter 5

    T he Hitchcock soiree was being held in a finished but unrented space in the Second Street district. Waffling over whether to get there early or a little late, I chose early. Better parking, and a bit of time to test out my new “by-night” personality before the crowd descended.
    The split second before I slid through the glass door decorated with a full-body silhouette of Alfred Hitchcock, I had the uncomfortable feeling that someone was watching me. Holding tight to the door handle, I pivoted on my heel, glancing behind me, right and left, my newly sleek bob shifting against my cheek. I saw no one even remotely suspicious—this was Austin, after all. Nothing seemed out of place.
    All at once, I felt in character . . . a Hitchcock blonde, edgy and on the run. Not to mention off the grid. As ridiculous as it was, I’d stopped to buy a burner phone just in case (in case of what, I had no idea), and I’d sat in the car until I’d memorized the number so I wouldn’t have to write it down. I was positively itching to make a call.
    I smiled to myself. I was totally getting caught up and it was awesome!
    Slipping through the door, I nearly screamed my head off. Somehow they’d managed to rig some of those cheapy black birds that go on sale at craft stores every Halloween to attack unsuspecting partygoers as they came through the door. I was certain my hand had come up exactly like Tippi Hedren’s trying to ward them off. Damn sproingy things.
    Smoothing my hair in case I was sporting beak-head, I inched farther into the