Page 101 of A Bloom in Winter

Apex got his walk on, and as he came up to the other male, he didn’t want to think about things he couldn’t control anymore.

He didn’t want to think about anything.

“You done?” Even though one of the guy’s texts had already said that. “We good?”

“You’re all set. But I figured you’d want to try things out first.”

Closing the door as he entered, Apex wasn’t surprised to find Mahrci with her LV duffle right next to Mayhem’s black nylon bag from Dick’s. Cabela’s. Wherever.

Beauty and the Generic.

Except as the two looked at each other and their eyes lingered, Apex didn’t have the heart to be cynical about their future. Who was he to doom-and-gloom on their parade?

“So you’re leaving, too,” he said to the female.

In reply, he got a nod and some conversation he didn’t bother tracking. While all kinds of syllables were thrown around, he stared at the pair. Like the luggage, they were standing side by side, and the ease between them was obvious. No shadows thrown by dark emotions. No past clawing its way into the present and fucking things up. Just two people who were attracted to each other and ready to see where it all goes—

“You’re lucky,” he heard himself say.

That stopped both of them.

Which was his clue to step in and offer his hand for a shake. “Thanks, Mayhem.”

The male glanced at what was clearly his female. Then he shook what was offered. “Um, okay. So how about we go through the program before I go?”

“Nah, it’s okay. I know how to reach you if something doesn’t work.”

Mayhem’s brows popped. “Um, yeah, you can always call me. But are you sure? I mean, everything is functioning—”

“I trust you. ”

“I tested and retested the feeds—”

“I know you did.” Turning, he put his palm out to Mahrci. “Something tells me I’m not going to see you again.”

The female ducked her eyes. “You never know.”

“Yeah, I do. What do you want me to tell your father?”

“Nothing. That’s my problem, not yours.”

Finally, someone who got it, he thought.

“I always did like you.”

Just as the female went to take his hand in her own, he saw the bite mark on the inside of her wrist. Well, things had progressed, hadn’t they. And he was willing to bet that it wasn’t the only vein on her that had been taken—although with her wearing that turtleneck, he couldn’t tell.

Not that it was his business.

“You okay taking the SUV back?” Mayhem asked. “I was just gonna, you know, dematerialize with her.”

“No problem. I’m thinking of leaving the vehicle here, anyway. It’s Whestmorel’s.”

His job with that male was done, and not just with this installation.

Guess everyone was disappearing.

As they both stared at him, like they were worried about his mental health or something, he marched over to the door.

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