Page 42 of Ace

“You can stay at my place as a friend. You get half the kitchen and a room. We can share a couch if you’re nice.”

“Okay, deal. We can pretend we’re cousins again, like we used to.”

He’d almost forgotten. Around third grade, kids at school used to tease them that they were getting married. Those were the days you just didn’t talk to girls, ever. So he and Gianna had told everyone they were cousins. It worked. Until they wanted to date in high school and the kids they knew from elementary were a little creeped out. He laughed, thinking about it. “Remember when we had to prove to the whole senior class that we aren’t really related?”

“Don’t remind me.” She laughed.

He was grateful they’d moved on to less uncomfortable topics. He knew she felt betrayed but didn’t think there was much he could do about it.

They pulled in front of the red carpet. “Wow, Dad really did put up a red carpet.”

The limo in front emptied out several A-level athletes. “Some donors right there. Those guys need charity donations to help with their taxes.”

Then he pulled forward. Most everyone standing on the sides of the red carpet ignored them. “Benefit of not arriving in Dad’s limo.” He handed his key fob to the valet and circled around to open Gianna’s door.

As soon as her foot stepped out, someone shouted. “Isn’t that Dex Callison?” And the flashes started.

Her hand in his made him smile. She raised herself from his car, with lowered shoulders, a slight lift to her chin and a relaxed smile.

“You are stunning.”

Her smile grew. And as she stood next to him, she whispered. “The only reason I agreed to this was so I could see you in a tux.”

The world around them went quiet. “Really?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Now, Gi, those aren’t very platonic words coming out of your full and kissable mouth.”

“What! Stop!” Her cheeks instantly colored.

“You started it.”

The world sped up again, and they faced the flashing cameras. She waved and smiled. “This is work. Be friendly.”

So he pasted on his charming grin and nodded to people here and there. “You’re right. This is work for me too.”

“For us both. We need support for the Pacific Alliance and the nonprofit.”

“And for Top Flight.”

“Yes. That too.”

Someone shouted to them and held up a microphone. “How should we respond to the takeover in the Pacific?”

Gi smiled. “I think—”

Dex interjected, “We need to get in there, defend the smaller nations, and help the Alliance to be able to defend itself.”

“So are you with your dad on his efforts to support the infrastructures of the nations that are affected?”

Gianna jumped in. “I’m with his dad on that. I definitely think we need to—”

The crowd lost interest. One of them pointed to something behind her. “It’s the secretary of defense. General West, what is your take on our position in the Pacific?” The crowd of reporters rushed away from them and headed to Gi’s father.

“Wow, he came.” Dex studied the general. Cameras flashed in his face. His expression was serious as he answered questions.

When he turned back to Gianna, she had left his side and was entering the building without a glance in his direction.

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