Page 73 of Role Play
I stare at him, still genuinely surprised. In the three years we’ve lived together, I’ve never suspected Taio harbored a secret romance-novel addiction. But I’m starting to think there’s a lot I don’t know about my friends.
Saylor holds up a book depicting a menacing-looking octopus with a maiden in its clutches. “And how is reading books about tentacles going into places tentacles should never go, going to help your girl?”
“Jesus Christ,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it,” Taio says with a wink. “Some of the freakiest shit I’ve done was with the mostbuttoned-up clients. That corporate lawyer from last month? The one with the pearls and sensible pumps?”
“What about her?” Saylor asks, leaning in.
“Let’s just say she had very specific instructions involving a ruler, hot wax, and a pair of dice.”
“All right,” I say loudly, checking my watch. “Let’s wrap this up. I’m going to get a few of these for reference.”
After some deliberation, I select six books spanning different subgenres—recommendations from both Taio and our bookstore clerk, Anna, who seems to have forgiven me for the “girlfriend” revelation. The total makes me wince, but I remind myself it’s an investment in my arrangement with Sora.
“So,” Saylor says as we head for the exit, shopping bag in hand, “when do we get to meet this conch shell girl? I’m dying to see who’s got you all twisted up.”
“You don’t,” I say firmly. “The last thing Sora needs is you two jackasses embarrassing me.”
“Us? Embarrass you?” Taio fakes an innocent expression. “Never.”
“I will literally pay you both to stay away from her,” I threaten as we step onto the crowded sidewalk.
“Now, now,” Taio tuts. “Is that any way to treat your support system? Your research assistants? Your?—”
“Pains in my ass?” I finish for him.
“I was going to say ‘voices of reason,’ but sure, that works too.”
As we make our way toward the subway, my phone buzzes with a text. I pull it out to find a message from Sora. It’s a picture of a wall with three different paint swatches—various shades of purple.
Sora:
I’m debating painting Dakota’s room. I know you said she likes purple, but which shade?
Me:
The middle one. But you don’t have to do all that.
Sora:
I want to! These walls are so bland. I want her to feel at home and love her room. We should get her a new bed set too. Does she like Disney princesses?
Me:
She’s obsessed.
Something in my chest squeezes tight. The thought of Sora planning for my daughter’s comfort, wanting to make the brownstone feel like home for her… It hits me in a place I didn’t know was so fragile.
“That her?” Taio asks, catching the look on my face.
“Maybe,” I hedge, typing a quick reply.
Me:
Send me the swatch number. I’ll pick up the paint and supplies and meet you at the brownstone. Give me a few hours.
Sora:
