Page 14 of Darn Knit All

“I don’t know. How do you deal with it?”

I chuckled. “I don’t. I just avoid thinking too hard about the details.”

A drop of sauce slipped from my fry on the journey to my mouth, splattering on my jean leg.

“Damn.” I slid from the stool, grabbing some napkins. “I’ll be right back. Let me clean this off before it stains.”

I washed the stain in the bathroom and returned to find Theo bent over his phone.

I slid back onto the stool beside him. “Miss me?”

His head jerked up, his eyes dancing. “I’ve figured it out.”

I arched one eyebrow.

“How we’re gonna start living! No more third wheel in our own lives. To kick us off, I’m sending in your application for this.” He handed me his phone.

I glanced down to find it opened to a website—PerfectFitContest.com.

“What is this?”

“It’s a fashion competition.” He bounced in his chair. “They’re searching for up-and-coming designers to profile on their reality TV show. The prize is your own show and a shit-ton of money.”

I scrolled through the page, shaking my head. “I can’t. I’m not good enough for something like this.”

“Psh.” Theo plucked the phone out of my hand. “I’m entering you.”

“Theo!”

“Too late,” he said, his thumbs flying over the screen. “This is your challenge.”

“I’ll never get in.”

“Then there’s nothing to lose.”

I couldn’t argue with his logic.

He glanced up, seeing my expression. “You’re an incredible designer, Mai. You deserve to at least try.”

He held the phone out to me. “Yes or no?”

The submit button stared out at me from the screen, taunting me.

“Fuck it.” I hit it then shoved his hand away. “Now drop it before I start overthinking this.”

He chuckled. “You’re going to overthink it anyway.”

I poked my tongue out at him, then waggled a finger in his direction. “What about you? You’ve thrown me under a bus, how are you going to challenge yourself?”

He chuckled, spreading his arms wide. “I’ll leave that in your capable hands. If we can’t kick-start our own lives, why not kick-start each other’s?”

“You like to live dangerously.”

He grinned, ruffling my hair. “Bring it on.”

CHAPTER 2

MAI

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