Page 31 of Hearts Like Hers

“Fuckers better get out of the way,” Isabelbit out, dodging a blue ghost. “I will fuck you up, and everyone you’ve evermet.”

Kate shook her head and looked over at Gia.“She takes this seriously.”

“Well, yeah,” Gia said, as if it were themost vital of missions. She pointed at what seemed to be a score sheet displayedon the refrigerator. “Iz holds the Seven Shores record as of now, but trust me,it’s temporary.”

“Is not, Malone,” Isabel said, her eyes notleaving the screen.

Gia nodded. “It ends today.”

“As in, you probably stayed up all nightdreaming it would.”

“As in, I was dreaming of your mom,” Gia saideasily and smiled.

Isabel gasped. “My mother is dead.”

Kate’s eyes widened until she realized thatno offense had been taken. This is what these two did. “Okay, so what I’mpicking up is that you two move that retro little Pac-Man with a bow around thescreen and trash-talk each other.”

Isabel paused the game. She turned slowly toKate, just as Gia did the same. They stared at her solemnly as if that comment,over all the others uttered in the past few minutes, was the one that had gonetoo far. “There’s so much more to it than that, Kate,” Isabel said, withfocused intensity. “It’s a good thing you’re here.”

Gia nodded seriously. “We’ll help you.”

The door to the apartment opened and Autumnentered, still wearing her apron. She looked tired in the cutest sense, andKate enjoyed the fact that she alone knew the intimate reason why. Her gazelanded quickly on Kate, who she offered a small smile, before taking in thelarger room.

“You called me over for this?” she asked,incredulous, and pointed at the screen. “ThisPac-Manwoman again? I thought something important was going on.”

“I called you over because you needed abreak,” Gia told her. “And something importantisgoing on. Kate is going to learn theglory of the game.”

“Oh, well, why didn’t you say so?” She took aseat down the couch across from Kate. “I did need a break. And can I say thatpeople are grouchier than normal today? Not a lot of pleases or thank-youshappening. One guy knocked over his large latte, hurling coffee all over threedifferent tables and the clothing of two customers, and didn’t say so much asan I’m sorry before walking out of the shop. Who does that? Can we call hisparents?”

“Did you have to clean it all up?” Kateasked.

“I put my new hire, Simon, on it.”

“You have a new hire?” Isabel sounded soexcited by the prospect you’d think Autumn had announced she would be hosting amillion-dollarMs.Pac-Mantournament. “I adore your new hires. What’s this one like?”she asked, and leaned as close as one could get to the ground without actuallytouching it. Curious, Kate tilted her head sideways to try and experience it.

“He doesn’t really speak. He will, tocustomers, but not to me or any of my other employees. It’s a quirk, and I’mtrying not to take it personally.”

Gia studied her. “A selectively mute employeecould make for good stories.”

“Well, gear up then, because Simon-the-Nodderis now a part of our lives,” Autumn deadpanned.

“How’s he feel about cotton, though? That’sthe real question.”

“You know, he doesn’t say.” They stared ateach other before busting up, fist bump required.

“Son of a bitch on a Triscuit!” Isabelshouted.

“That’s not a phrase,” Autumn said.

“Nope,” Gia replied. “But I see your Ms.Pac-Man just died like a little bitch. Kate’s up, and then I take you toschool.”

“Oh. I don’t know that I’m up for it,” Katesaid. “Zero experience with video games.”

“Then this will be all the more fun for us,”Isabel said, with a twinkle in her eye. She handed Kate the controller, and Katereluctantly took Isabel’s spot on the floor.

“I’m not doing those crazy moves,” Kateforewarned them. In her peripheral vision, she saw Autumn smother a smile withher hand.

“No moves required,” Gia said. “Everyone hastheir own form. Do you.”

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