Page 111 of Betting on the Brainiac

“Oliver is into me because of circumstance,” I say. “Because we did this whole stupid marriage of convenience. When it’s done in a year, then what?”

“The marriage is the snowed-in cabin,” Ava says. “I’m following now.”

Ruby covers her eyes. “Mads, if I could prove to you that you’re wrong but I’d have to meddle to do it, should I?”

Ava frowns. “Why can’t you tell her what the proof is?”

“Bless you, Ava,” I say.

“It’s not my place to share it,” Ruby says. “But I can set the stage and maybe the answers will come.”

Sami, Ava, and I exchange looks.

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“It means you need to call or text or send Morse code to Oliver and tell him you’re sorry. Let him know we’re having a neighbor party tonight, and you want him to be able to come over without it being weird between you.”

I chew on my lip, thinking about how we left things this morning. “I’m pretty sure he’ll accept my apology, but I don’t think he’ll come home early just for a neighbor party.”

“Any birthdays coming up?” Sami asks. “Charlie’s, maybe?”

Ruby shakes her head. “No, and why would Charlie celebrate his birthday with our neighbors?”

We fall quiet again.

“He’ll do it for the cats,” I say. “I’ve been thinking that I would try to get people in the Grove to adopt them so I can visit them. We’ll bring the kittens over here and keep them inside so they don’t get freaked out by the noise. I’ll ask Oliver to help me screen anyone who shows interest. He’d come over for that.”

“And then you’ll show her the proof?” Sami asks.

Ruby smiles. “No. But I have a feeling Oliver will.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Oliver

I get Madison’s textaround noon while I pick at a cold Hot Pocket, trying to make sense of a section of code.

I was really out of line this morning. I’m sorry. Thanks for being my friend anyway.

Apology accepted. Forget about it. We’re good.

Not that I could forget. Madison, warm and willing, her lips trailing down my neck, her invitation to explore the growing tension between us, to rediscover the taste of her mouth.

There could be no next time unless she chose it knowing her masked man was me.

I want to do a neighbor party to introduce the kittens and get them adopted here so I never have to miss them. Is that okay?

Of course.

Thinking 6:30 when the heat stops trying to murder us.You’ll come help me vet adopters?

Of course.

Despite how it looked to Madison this morning, I’m absolute crap at telling her no.

I lose most of the afternoon remembering this morning and thinking about tonight.

I’m telling her. Doesn’t matter which family member shows up to pick a fight, or how rowdy the party gets, or whatever the cats try to pull. I’m telling her. There will be no good time for this, and the longer I take to do it, the worse the timing gets.

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