Page 27 of The Innovator

“Why not this Saturday?” I asked.

“Because I’m busy. I’ve got plans with my girls.”

“Well, I’ve got plans too.”

“I asked Remi, and he said there’s nothing planned,” Audri retorted.

“Dude, I hang out with other people too, you know,” I said.

“Please come two Saturdays from now? I’ll make you some wonton noodle soup.”

I snorted. “Is that a bribe?”

Since she’d been with Remi, her skills in the kitchen had improved. She’d learned to perfect the wonton noodle soup to where it was better than my mom’s.

“You’re my favorite brother.”

“That comment means nothing when I’m youronlybrother. You’re really trying to bribe me. Fine, I’ll take the noodle soup and dumplings. I’ll be there in two weeks.”

“Stop by around noon, please. Thanks,” Audri said.

“I should be able to stop by whenever it’sconvenientfor me. Who’s doing who a favor?”

“But I’m busy in the morning. Noon, please?”

“Fine.” I didn’t have anything planned for the next few weekends, anyway. Maybe I could use the opportunity to show Remi what I’d done so far for Level Three.

“By the way, loosen up a bit.” She huffed a breath. “Don’t be an ass.”

My eyebrows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

Audri huffed out a breath. “I shouldn’t be intruding, but I have to say something. I don’t want to see my friend stressed because of you.”

I thought I was an intelligent man, but I had no idea what my sister was referring to. “Come again? Are you sure you’re talking about your amazing and very handsome big brother?”

She snorted. “Natalie is my friend, and you’ve been making her life . . . difficult.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but remembered how I’d acted every time she had called to inquire about documents. She was persistent, which I admired and hated.

“My schedule is packed. I don’t have time for an inspector.”

“If you want your building renovated, then make time.”

Her words had surprised me. No one from City Hall had ever dared speak to me that way.

That challenge in her voice—that spark of fire—had hooked me. But too much fire could burn me. Still, that didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy pushing her buttons.

I never said I was a gentleman. The things I imagined doing to her had reserved a seat right next to the devil. Hell was a place I often frequented these days. The change in me was inevitable, and I wasn’t surprised people noticed. I was still walking through misery, through this darkness I’d encountered. No one knew this, and no one would.

I remembered reading all these depressing books in high school and college that described a person’s journey through life where he questioned his existence. I’d never understood those books until now when I questioned the meaning of my life. I was like the zero point on the X and Y axis, not going forward or backward, up or down. I was . . . stagnant.

Stagnation was the worst. For the first time in my life, I felt trapped and had no clue how to free myself.

“Hello? Earth to Grayson.” Audri’s voice yanked me out of my reverie.

“Did she tell you I was difficult?”

“No, Natalie’s not like that. She won’t complain about my brother to me because sheknowsit would make me feel awkward. I can see it in her eyes whenever your name comes up, though.”

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