Page 58 of Seeking Shadows

“How would I do that?” He looks at me curiously after calming his laughter.

“Like, ‘Hi, my name is Tristan, I’m a former circus performer, I juggle, and I have this air of mystery that makes people want to know more about me.’”

He lets out a nasal laugh. “I don’t think anyone would be interested in that.”

“Are you kidding?” I shake my head, indignant. “Ordinary men only know how to talk about gyms and cars. You’re already ahead of half of them just by being interesting.”

He crosses his arms, giving me a skeptical half-smile. “And how exactly does juggling help me find someone?”

“Hey, you can use it as an icebreaker! I don’t know, imagine: You’re in a rather awkward meeting, and then—out of nowhere—you start juggling three apples. Boom! Suddenly, you’re not just the quiet guy anymore. You’re the quiet guy with skills.”

Tristan laughs, shaking his head. “I don’t know if that would work as well as you think.”

“It works! Wanna see?” I point a finger at him. “Next time you meet someone, tell them about the circus. You’ll see how they’ll want to know more about you.”

He looks at me doubtfully, but there's something amused in his expression. “What if it doesn’t work?”

“If it doesn’t, I’ll find you a date myself.”

Tristan laughs for real this time, throwing his head back. “I think I’ll just trust my luck.”

I shrug, blinking. “Okay. But when someone falls in love with you because of juggling, I want credit.”

Before he can think of a response, I see Zane enter the room.

He stops in his tracks as soon as he sees me sitting with Tristan, his gaze narrowing as if he’s just witnessed a crime.

“What are you doing?” His voice is dry.

I turn to him with a smile.

“Talking. Tristan’s really interesting, you know? He used to be in a circus.”

Zane’s eyes slowly shift from me to Tristan.

“Interesting?”

“Yes! Did you know he hasconqueringjuggling skills?”

Zane blinks slowly.

“Are you evaluating his achievements?”

“No. I mean, maybe? I haven’t finished my research yet.”

Tristan lets out a sigh, clearly regretting sitting here.

Zane pulls up a chair and sits next to me, crossing his arms.

“Since when do you invite security guards to sit with you?”

“Since I noticed they just stand there all day, poor things. I bet no one ever offers them a cup of coffee.”

“He’s on duty.”

“And? He can’t socialize? What do you want? For him to just stare at me all day?”

Zane narrows his eyes.

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