Page 86 of The Holiday Fakers
“She didn’t. That’s the point. She loves the world ofThe Sword and the Flameand imagined me playing everyone from the Emberking of Draventhorne to the warlock.”
Marv rubs his chin as he stares off into the middle distance. “So, I was right.”
“Huh?”
“Shedidhave a thing for you when you were kids, and it looks like it never went away.”
“She might be like one of those fans, in love with the character, not the real person.”
“Have you lost your frikking mind, Brody? Piper’s in love withyou,” he says crossly, giving me another slap.
“Hey! Cut it out!” I rub my arm, even though Marv’s about as effective in a fight as a damp sponge. “We’ve spent the last twelve years apart. We’re different people now.”
“On the outside, maybe a bit,” he replies testily. “But in here—” He pokes the center of my chest. “You’re still the same kid I met all those years ago. Trust me on this. People don’t change. I’m twice as old as you and I know what I’m talking about.”
I shrug as if I don’t believe him, and his nostrils flare.
“Are you gonna man up or what? Faint heart never won fair lady, and you need to make a decision about whether to be happy or not.”
“What?”
“Tell Piper how you feel.”
“But I don’t know howshefeels.”
Marv growls with frustration. “You kissed. It was real. Time for the happily ever after, numnuts.”
“But how? If I get the job, I’ll be in New Zealand?”
“So?”
“What do you mean, ‘so’?”
He shrugs. “She can come with you.”
“Are you insane? She’s got a job in Brooklyn. A life there.”
“A job where her talent is used to design a stapler mascot? A job she might not have anyway in a few months’ time?”
“I can’t just expect her to drop all that and follow me! What about her career? Whatshewants? This isn’t the 1950s, where her needs take second place to mine.”
I score my fingernails across my scalp. “Besides, she said she was excited for me. She acted like she was cool with me leaving. Like the kiss didn’t mean anything.”
“Acted. She’s protecting herself. You need to sort this. She’s a sweet kid and I want this thing between you to be real.”
“Huh?”
He looks at me like I’m too dumb for words. “You think this is just about the job? I care about you, dipshit, and I want you to be happy. Marisa didn’t make you smile like Piper does. No one has, not even me, and I’m the funniest guy in the room.”
“All ready then?” Erica enters the hallway and Marv and I move apart.
“Sure,” Marv replies. “Cara all sorted?”
“Yes. She’s the same size as Harper, so we’ve got her kitted out to cope with any weather Hideaway can throw our way. Hudson’s old boots fit you okay?”
“Yeah, sure,” Marv replies. “With his coat and muffler, I’m gonna look like—what do you call yourselves again? Hidies?”
Erica smiles. “Yes. You’re a Holiday Hidie at the moment, but if you move here, you become a full-fledged Hidie like the rest of us.”
