Page 84 of Play Book

“So… a minimum of four typed pages,” I read. “A bibliography, at least two diagrams, and props for a five-minute presentation. That doesn’t sound so bad.”

“I hate standing up in front of the class,” she says. “It’s embarrassing.”

“I didn’t love it either,” I say, “but we’ll practice until you’re comfortable. When is the presentation?”

“Next Wednesday.”

“Okay, then let’s get to work.”

“I can help you with the illustrations. Maybe I can draw something for you and then you’ll have something no one else has.”

“I guess.” Ally shrugs. “But what would you draw?”

“What is your report going to be about?”

“Either Nefertiti or Tutankhamun’s wife, Ankhesenamun.”

“Nefertiti was fascinating,” Saylor says. “I studied her in college.”

“You went to college?”

“I did. I didn’t graduate, but I went.”

“Why didn’t you graduate?”

“My modeling career took off, and I couldn’t do both. I’d still like to go back and finish my degree.”

“People as old as you go to college?” Ally asks.

Saylor just smiles. “They do. And we usually enjoy it more than we did when we were teenagers.”

That seems to shut Ally up, and she starts pulling books out of her backpack.

Luna comes into the room and jumps into Saylor’s arms.

“Hey, come to me.” Ally immediately snatches her away and I bite back a sharp retort.

She’s just a sad, scared little girl.

We have to give her some grace.

Even though I want to strangle her half the time.

“It’s okay,” Saylor mouths when I glance at her.

It’s going to be a long night.

TWENTY-FIVE

Saylor

I’ve just made a cup of coffee when there’s a knock at the door. I’m still in my pajamas so I peek out the peephole and smile when I see Canyon. He’s been on a road trip for a few days and got home late last night. He didn’t know whether he would have practice this morning, so I hadn’t been sure when I’d see him.

“Good morning,” I say, opening the door.

“Hey, beautiful.” He comes in, kicks the door shut behind him and scoops me up in his arms. “I want to say or do something romantic, but I really need to touch you.”

That’s the best thing he can say, as far as I’m concerned. We haven’t had nearly as much sex as either of us would like.

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