Page 91 of Ink & Stardust

“How are things going with your mystery man?” I ask, desperately needing a distraction, anything to get my mind off the ache that starts in my chest and spreads through my entire body like a virus, slowly eating away at my insides.

“I’d rather not talk about that.” She grimaces.

“Oh no, not you too!” I croak. “What happened?”

“Nothing really. I mean, we’re still talking, but I don’t know. I just feel like the odds are kinda stacked against us.”

“Does this mean we get to know who he is?” Maisie asks.

“You guys don’t know him. He graduated a couple of years ago.”

“An older man.” A touch of a smile graces my lips, but it falls flat way too quickly. “What’s his name?”

“You promise you won’t say anything?”

“Who the heck are we going to say something to?” Maisie snorts with a swift eye roll. “And why would it matter anyway?”

“It’s just... Okay, well, the reason I’ve kind of kept everything on the down-low is because he’s actually the brother of someone we know.”

I try not to show the surprise on my face. Someoneweknow is a small list, given that I know no one.

“Who?” Maisie nudges Char’s knee when she doesn’t continue right away.

“Claire.” She gives me an apologetic look.

“Wait, you’re talking to Conner Evans?” Maisie’s eyes damn near bug out of her head.

“You know him?” Char pales, though I’m not sure why she’s shocked. Maisie grew up around here and knows everyone. Not to mention she went to high school with Claire.

“I mean, not personally.” Maisie shakes her head. “But I know of him.”

“What do you know?” She’s quick to ask.

“Not much, considering I was in middle school when he was in high school. My brother went to school with him, though he was a year above Jackson. Kai probably remembers him too.” Her gaze swings to me for a brief moment before going back to Char. “I do know he played football, though. And that he’s incredibly attractive.” She gives Char a sly grin. “I get why you didn’t want to tell us.”

“I just... It’s a complicated situation and I didn’t want to make it even more complicated by his sister finding out that we’re kind of talking. As you learned recently, she can be a little vicious that one, and from what I can tell, the two are extremely close. Given that your brother...” She looks at Maisie. “And Kai...” Her gaze swings to me. “Both know him. I guess I was just worried. He doesn’t want his sister to know. He’s been very vocal about that much.”

“You could have told us,” I reassure her. “I would never repeat anything you told me in confidence.”

“Nor would I,” Maisie agrees.

“I know. I’m sorry I’ve been so secretive. It’s just...”

“Complicated.” Maisie finishes for her. “Trust me, I know a thing or two about complicated. Macallan Stewart being prime example number one.”

“Have you two spoken at all?” Charlotte asks, seeming a bit relieved to be able to turn the topic to Maisie.

Poor girl. I feel awful that she felt like she couldn’t tell us about a guy she so very clearly likes. And I feel even worse that I’ve been so caught up in my stuff with Kai that I really didn’t even bother pressing her for the information either.

“Who? Me and Mac?” Maisie shakes her head. “No, I think it’s safe to say that ship has sailed. These days, I’d be more likely to punch him in the mouth than kiss him there. Asshole.” She grumbles the last part under her breath but loud enough for both Char and me to hear.

“We’re really batting a hundred here, ladies,” I tell them, swiping at my cheeks still damp from tears.

“We really are,” Maisie agrees with a smile.

“I think maybe this is our cue to write off men for a while,” Maisie suggests.

“Oh, I’m not going anywhere near another man. Maybe ever.” I snort out a soft laugh.

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