Page 25 of All's Fair in Love and Blackmail

“Hmm. Probably barbecue.”

We exchange trivial facts about ourselves for the rest of our shopping trip, and on the way home, too; it’s only when we finally reach her neighborhood and then pull into her driveway that she sighs, slumping tiredly.

“Well, thanks, Felicia.”

“I’ll see you this weekend?” I say.

“Do I have a choice?” she shoots back as she unbuckles. “Be honest—would you really tell people about the pageant?”

Of course I wouldn’t. But…

“Front page of the Four-Leaf Gazette,” I say blithely, my insides squirming at the blatant lie. “Mystery girl uncovered, the identity of Lucky’s very own?—”

“You’re the worst,” she cuts me off, but she’s fighting a smile—I can see it at the corners of her lips.

“Would you leave me to traipse all over town on my own if I said I’d take your secret to my grave?” I say, cocking a brow at her.

She narrows her eyes, and I nod.

“That’s what I thought. You’re stuck with me, Sunshine,” I say with a grin. “But don’t worry, I’ll make it worth your time. I’ll drive you wherever you need to go—maybe hunt down some eligible bachelors for you to marry while I’m at it. We’ll knock your bucket list out of the park.”

“I only need one bachelor, thank you very much,” she says. “Multiple isn’t my style—and this isn’t that kind of book.”

I let out a bark of laughter. “All right, just one.” I jerk my chin at her little house, lit up in the growing dark with cheerfully bright windows. “Go inside, Sunshine. I’ll talk to you later.”

Sunshine

Cyrus, Felix and I have some important news, and we want you to be the first to hear it

Cyrus

?

Me

Don’t do this to me, Sunshine.

Sunshine

The truth is, Cy, that Felix and I can no longer contain our feelings for each other. We spent this evening together and we’re now madly in love.

Me

I hate you.

Sunshine

Save it for couples’ therapy, Felicia.

Cy, we plan on ending things in a messy and drawn-out breakup, during which we will both pressure you to take sides.

Cyrus

I’m disowning you both

Sunshine

Sad. We’ll cry about it in each others’ arms.

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