Free Dead Is Not an Option by Marlene Perez Page B

intermediate myself, so I don't know how much help I'd be," Natalie said.
    "She's kind of a loose cannon," I replied. "Any help you could give her would be appreciated."
    "Who is it, if you don't mind my asking?" Natalie said.
    "Penny Edwards," I said. I watched her, dreading the no that I was sure was forming on her lips.
    But Natalie surprised me. "Okay, I'll do it. Give me her number and I'll set something up."
    I looked at Sam. "I don't have Penny's cell number."
    She pulled out her cell phone and scribbled the numbers down on a paper napkin and handed it to Natalie. "Don't feel bad if you want to wring her neck half the time," Sam said. "We all do. But Penny's not so bad once you get to know her."
    Natalie stuck the number in her bag. "Look, I've got to go. Slim and I have plans."
    Slim was turning the Open sign to Closed, which shocked me. "I can stay and cook if he needs me," I offered, but Natalie shook her head.
    "He's closing the restaurant for a private party," she said. "Just the two of us."
    "Thanks for your help, Natalie. I'll just say goodbye to Lil."
    I was startled when Lil broke into "Marry Me" by Train. "Oh," I said. " Oh! " I repeated as the light dawned. "Come on, Sam, let's go." I took her by the arm and propelled her out the door.
    "What's your hurry?" she said as the door closed behind us.
    "I think Slim is going to propose to Natalie," I whispered.
    "He is?" she replied. "That's so romantic. Are you sure?"
    "Lil seems to think so. And have you ever known Slim to close the diner?" I said. "And besides, I saw this little black velvet box in his office the other day."
    "Did you open it?" Sam asked.
    "Of course not," I said. "But I'm almost sure it's an engagement ring. He's crazy about Natalie."
    "That's a big step," Sam said. "Do you ever think about it?"
    "Getting married?" I asked. "We're way too young to even think about marriage."
    "I know," she said. "But what about someday?"
    I shrugged. "Maybe someday. Right now, I just want to make it through graduation."
    At the time, I had no idea just how much of a challenge that was going to be.

CHAPTER TWELVE
    Saturday morning meant an early shift at Slim's. Flo had been coming in later and later. She finally explained with a giggle that she wanted to sleep in on the weekends. I pretended it was because she was up late watching her musician boyfriend's gigs and blocked all other thoughts from my mind.
    After my shift ended, I went home and baked sugar cookies. I was kicking back in the family room, waiting for the cookies to cool, when I got a text message from Sam. Look out your front window.
    I went to the window and looked out. At first I didn't see anything, but I finally realized what Sam was talking about and fully appreciated the view.
    Ryan was on the front lawn, shirtless, tossing a football back and forth with Sean.
    Since it was hot out, I was wearing a scruffy old pair of shorts and a T-shirt splattered with dried paint. I rushed upstairs to change into my cutest shorts and a bright yellow top and made a beeline for my boyfriend.
    The guys were still playing football, but I saw Samantha lolling on a chaise lounge in front of the Walshes' house, so I went on over. She was wearing a bikini top and shorts.
    "Hey, what's going on?"
    "Getting a little sun before prom," she said.
    "You're turning pink," I said. "You'd better flip over."
    "Ryan was coming over to see you when Sean grabbed him for a game," she said. "They've been at it for an hour and I'm bored."
    "And you knew the sight of my boyfriend would bring me out of the house," I said. "Why didn't you just ring the bell?"
    "I didn't feel like getting up," she confessed with a giggle. There was a pitcher of lemonade and glasses on a stand beside her. "Want a glass?"
    I nodded. She reached for a small silver bucket of ice and plunked a few cubes in a glass before pouring the lemonade.
    The guys jogged over, and my boyfriend wrapped his slightly sweaty arms around me.
    "Hey, babe," Ryan said. He