Page 157 of My Lucky Charm

“You gotta tell her,” Krush says.

“You owe it to yourself,” Finn adds.

I shake my head. “No way. She’s my assistant. Forget it.”

At that, they all start making chicken noises, strutting around the locker room like a bunch of hens, flapping their arms and pumping their necks.

“I know what you gotta do!” Finn jumps up on the bench.

“If you start singing, I’m throwing you on the roof,” I say.

“Something big!” Finn points at me enthusiastically, and I groan.

“I don’t even know what that could be.” I shake my head.

“Like that dance Burke did for Poppy.” Jericho is gyrating and grinning, and I don’t like either.

“I saw the video,” I say. “And you all looked ridiculous.”

“The things you do for love, man,” Jericho says, arms outstretched, still gyrating. Thank God he has pants on.

“Nobody is talking about love,” I say, growing more trapped by the second.

They all pause for a second, then, as if on cue, they bust out laughing.

“That’s exactly what we’re talking about,” Jericho says.

“You are in love with Eloise,” Krush adds.

I let out an audible groan. “This can’t be happening.”

“Oh, it’s happening, bro,” Krush says.

“We’re going to figure out something so good she’s not going to be able to resist.” Jericho keeps dancing around the locker room, and Krush and Finn dance in line behind him.

“Or you could just be honest and tell her how you feel,” Burke says.

“With a song?” Kemp throws a towel at him.

“Maybe grand gestures aren’t his style,” Burke throws the towel back.

“They aren’t,” I say loudly, but no one is listening.

“Then just have a conversation,” he says. “There’s no replacement for honesty.”

“Talking about feelings isn’t really my style either,” I say.

“Then just kiss her,” Krush says.

I don’t bother telling them that didn’t work either.

“Look,” I tell them, “Even if I was in love with Eloise—which I’m not—it doesn’t matter. She works for me.”

“Technically, she reports to Turnrose,” Burke says.

“She’s made it clear she won’t get involved with her boss,” I say.

Finn stops the makeshift conga line mid-step. “Wait, wait, wait!! I’ve got an idea.”

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