Page 122 of The Laughing Game

“Oh, yeah, thanks. It’s nice to see you, too.”

This is so fucking awkward. How do I make this not awkward?

She laughed and put up a hand. “Don’t worry. I can take a hint, you know. I’m not going to ask you out again.”

“Oh fuck,” I said. “Thank God.”

Then I realized how that sounded as Rebecca frowned. Gideon was trying hard not to laugh.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

“Really.”

“Yeah, no, it’s not that you’re not cool. It’s only that I’ve started seeing someone.” I turned to Gideon. “This is my boyfriend, Gideon.”

She blinked. “That’s amazing! Hello!” She held out her hand and Gideon shook it.

“Hi,” Gideon said with a grin.

She looked at me with real affection. “I’m so sorry I texted you all those times. I just…I had a good time that night, but I guess you were looking for something else.”

“Yeah. Sorry.”

“No, no. It’s a good memory. Really.”

“Yeah, well, it turns out I wasn’t as straight as I thought,” I said.

Gideon grinned. “But he wasexactlyas straight as I thought.”

Rebecca examined Gideon, then looked at me. “I’m not surprised you switched sides.”

I blushed.

“You should see our other—” Gideon started to say but I grabbed his wrist and pulled him along.

“It was nice to see you, Rebecca!” I said.

“We should go for coffee!” she yelled. “Platonically, of course!”

“Sure,” I said. “Bye.”

“Holy. Shit.” Gideon muttered.

“Yeah. I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Anyway,” Gideon said, ushering me toward the restaurant. “V told me to get a table at Wilfred’s and order some drinks. He’ll pay. He always does.”

I followed Gideon, wondering what on Earth Vihaal was up to. Knowing him as I was learning to, it could be any number of things. My body went into anticipation mode.

As we entered the mostly empty dining room, I spotted a familiar person sitting at the bar.

“Hey, that’s—”

Gideon grabbed my elbow.

“Shh. Pretend you don’t see him.”

“What the fuck?” I asked, lowering my hand. “Why?”

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