Page 96 of The Art of Exiley

“Sorry, I’m just calling it like I see it. Look at what you do to Kaylie.”

Michael sighs in exasperation. “My relationship with Kaylie isn’t like that.”

I scoff. “You totally use her as a stand-in for a girlfriend, even though she’s clearly hoping for more.”

“That’s not true!” There are twin spots of red on his cheeks. He takes a deep breath, and his throat bobs. He slumps back in his chair and lets out a breath. “Is that really what you think of me?”

“I…” I look away, guilt taking over. I shouldn’t be taking out my frustration on Michael just because I wish things were different. I try again. “I think you’re a great guy. I just don’t think you realize how your actions might sometimes be perceived.”

“And you think I’m hurting Kaylie?” he asks.

“Um… I mean, you don’t see her dating anyone else.” Grey has been positively mooning over her since the Simon-in-the-tree incident, but she hasn’t seemed to have noticed.

He piles his dishes on to his tray. “So, what?” He meets my eyes, almost accusingly. “You think I should date her?”

The crunch-bombs turn to lead in my stomach. But I remember his lookwhen he dismissed me the other day. I know that my wishes are nothing more than wishful, so I say, “I think it’s not a bad idea.”

I lean back in my chair, the fight drained out of me. “And if it’s not what you want, then you should make that clear to her.” And to me.

He nods, then tenses as he looks over my shoulder.

I turn and see Rafe stalking over to our table. “There you are.” His voice is a low growl, his eyes as cool as sea glass. “Let’s go,” he says, and grips my wrist, tugging me up from my chair.

“Don’t order her around,” Michael says, reaching for my other hand.

“It’s okay,” I say to Michael. But he ignores me and stares at Rafe, seething. Rafe reaches over, and without breaking eye contact with Michael, he pries Michael’s fingers off my hand, puts his arm around my waist possessively, and herds me toward the door.

When we’re out of the room, I shake his arm off. “What was that about?”

“You asked me to be mindful of your reputation, and yet you have no problem having a—whatever that was, a lover’s quarrel?—with another person so publicly.”

“It’s not like that. He doesn’t see me that way.”

“And how do you see him?”

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t insult me.”

“Don’t be so controlling.”

“I’m not trying to control you. It was you who said you wanted to pretend fidelity for the sake of your reputation, and yet you don’t seem to be considering mine.”

I sigh. “I’m sorry. Okay? There is nothing going on between Master Loew and me, but I will be more thoughtful about how things could be perceived going forward.”

“Much obliged.”

“Anyway, I think I’ve identified where Hypatia is being kept,” I say.

“What?” He stops in his tracks. “That’s amazing!” He grabs me by the shoulders as if to hug me. I’m surprised by the action, and from the look on his face, I think he is too. He clears his throat and says, “Let’s go to Sire lab early. I have something to show you.”

I haven’t had a proper lunch, but I did just eat all of Michael’s crunch-bombs. “Sure, let’s do it.”

We pass Georgie in the Equinox, and I watch her face fall as her gaze tracks us. She and I normally eat lunch together, but I’m clearly headed in the wrong direction with one of her least favorite people. Right after she’s gone out of her way to help me, no less. She waves stiffly, then hurries off. She has every right to be upset at me. I need to find some time for us to talk. I’ll make sure to catch her later tonight, when I can explain everything properly.

“What did you want to show me?” I ask Rafe when we arrive at the Sire lab. No one else is here yet.

“My plan for getting us off the island.” He pulls out a bundle from under our desk.

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