Page 58 of My Irresistible Enemy

I waited to see if he’d say more about that. I had a million follow-up questions, but he didn’t elaborate. He just took another sip of his punch and stared down into his cup like it held the answer to the meaning of life.

“Must be nice, though, getting to see your friends while you’re here,” I said, hoping it was an innocuous enough prompt to get him talking again.

His lips twisted. “True, but it also means they get to witness all my failures up close and personal.”

“Oh, but that’s not so bad.” I grinned. “I fail in front of people all the time. You get used to it.”

Nolan turned and gave me a long look, his eyes narrowing. I wondered if I’d pushed him too far.

“I’ve been thinking about that, you know,” he said. “You keep saying you’re dumb, but have you ever thought that maybe you have a learning disability, or something where—”

“I’m gonna stop you right there,” I broke in, my stomach twisting. “I know you’re just trying to be helpful, but you don’t need to. I’m fine.”

“I’m just saying—”

“No, I know what you’re saying.” I drummed my fingers on my leg. “I do. But I have enough problems to deal with as it is. I don’t need another one.”

“It’s not a problem, though, that’s my point. I was just thinking about how you seemed to have trouble with the call numbers for those library books, or how recipe steps sometimes trip you up, and if you got a diagnosis, maybe you could—”

“God, will you let it go?” I jumped up off the bench. “I’m just dumb, okay? Not everything needs a special explanation, not everyone can be as fucking perfect and intelligent and accomplished as you.”

“I wasn’t trying to—”

“Some people just aren’t smart, and it’s fine. I’m not in school anymore, it doesn’t fucking matter if I have a learning disability or not. I’m doing just fine without special treatment or a label or any of that.”

Nolan looked up at me for a long moment, then finally nodded.

“Alright. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—shouldn’t have pushed.”

“It’s okay.” I looked out over the harbor wall at the water below. “I didn’t mean to explode.”

“Still.”

We were quiet for a minute, until I laughed.

“Well, this is awkward. I don’t know where to go from here. Usually, you’re the one who jumps down my throat, and then I get all pissy about it. How does it work if roles are reversed?”

Nolan smiled. “I’m not sure. I guess I get pissy now?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think pissy works on you. You’re more of a long-suffering sigh and quiet stare kinda guy.”

“I could try that, if you think it would help.”

I made a face, then pointed to his punch. “I have a better idea. Why don’t you finish that, and I’ll go get us refills. Maybe if I get more rum into me,I’llstart feeling sad and pathetic enough to apologize toyou.”

“I resent the implication that I feel sad and pathetic right now,” Nolan said, arching an eyebrow. “But I don’t actually have a better idea, so…bottoms up.”

He drained the rest of his glass and handed it to me. The line for the drinks table was shorter this time around, so it didn’t take me long to get refills for both of us. I took a tiny sip of Nolan’s, just out of curiosity. It really was disgustingly sweet.

I’d just begun making my way back through the crowd when Tanner stepped in front of me.

“Aiden,” he said, his smile broad. “How nice to see you. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

I lowered Nolan’s glass from my lips. “You have?”

Someone in the crowd jostled into Tanner from behind, pushing him towards me. I pulled the glasses in close, trying not to spill, but my wrists got sloshed anyway. Tanner gave me an apologetic look and angled us over to a small table on the side of the tent.

“Here, why don’t you set those down for a sec,” he said, taking them out of my hands.

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