Page 20 of Female Fantasy
“Um…Write Guy, Wrong Time,” I fib like it’s my calling. “It’s specifically for aspiring romance authors.”
“Is that so?” he says. “Well, if you’re headed in that direction, I might as well join you. I was planning on going into the city that week anyway. Now I can avoid fighting tooth and nail for a seat on the train.”
I try and fail to hide my panic. “What? No!”
“That’s a great idea.” Tey nods. “Nico can keep you company. And, um, make sure you stay alert on the road.”
Jesus Christ. “I checked my phone at the wheel one time for a quarter of a second!”
“And almost swerved off the highway.”
“Emphasis onalmost. That was the day advanced reader copies ofA Tale Of Sand and Cannon Firewere released. I got the shipping notification from the publisher!”
Nico stares blankly at me. “The fact that you think that’s a reasonable excuse is seriously concerning.”
“What do you even have to do in New York? Planning to cut the cord at the Empire State Building?”
“Americans will do that themselves, given the direction the energy crisis is headed…”
“Or, wait, I know. You’re going to kidnap Eloise.”
“If you must know, I have to see about a woman,” he says,silencing me.
Woman? What woman? Nico doesn’t date. He hasn’t dated since…
Since the incident. In fact, he famously believes starting a relationship is irresponsible when the future of the planet is at risk.
“And for the last time, I’m not the villain in some story, so stop making me into one, okay? Get your head out of your ass and join the rest of us in the real world, Joonie.”
The real world. Whatever that means.
You’re living in a fantasy.
His words push on a broken bone that never healed quite right. One that brings back the sound of a squeaking shoes on a dirty gym floor. Thumping bass. Quiet laughter and pointed looks. Nico’s glazed eyes—
I blink rapidly, pulling myself out of the memory.
This is why I avoid Nico at all costs.
“Why is he here again?” I whine to my brother. “Doesn’t he have adoptions of orphans to stop or something?”
“He’s just helping me out with some business stuff.” Teymoor scratches his ear, exchanging a look with Oliver, then Nico, before dropping his gaze to the ground. “I needed to get his opinion on some projections. You know. Crunching numbers.”
“Right.”
The second someone says the wordnumbers, I basically black out.
Oliver gives Tey a stern look, which he very obviously avoids meeting.
Weird.
I clock the silent conversation and make a mental note to return to it later.
“So, what do you say, kid?” says Nico. “Meet here tomorrow at eight?”
Kid.
I absolutely detest being called a kid.
