Jeremy releases a scream that could shatter glass. Maya exhales. Long. Steady. Worried.
“Are we sure?” she asks, still eerily calm.
I show them the business card on my screen. “Typed in the number. This popped up.” I share the screen shot of Carl’s contact.
Jeremy falls over. Just disappears off the screen. His phone goes sideways.
“Jeremy?” I call.
His phone shifts. He’s on the floor. Face down. Motionless.
Maya shakes her head. “I think you killed him.”
After a beat, Jeremy shoots back up resembling a vampire rising from the dead. “Bitch, I told you once and I’ll tell you again. This. Is. A. ROM-COM.
I rub my temples. “Jeremy?—”
“No, Rorie. Listen to me.” He points a finger at the screen. “You texted a mystery stranger for emotional support. You got all kinds of naughty with a man in a public restroom. He sent you a gift memorializing the fucking stars. Now he turns out to bethemystery stranger? This is Hallmark if Hallmark had horny writers.”
“This is a nightmare.”
Maya crosses her arms. “Or it’s a red flag buffet with a side of emotional sabotage.”
Jeremy gasps. “Excuse you, I ammanifesting love. Don’t harsh the vibe.”
“You’re manifesting delusion.”
With a groan, I flop backward onto my bed. “I don’t know what to do. My brain is a blender and everything hurts.”
Maya softens. “Focus on the event. Don’t let this derail you. You’re too close to lose your grip now.”
She’s right. I know she is.
Maya continues, voice gentler now. “You can’t risk blowing this opportunity by getting caught up in some complicated mess with someone who’s already fucked with your head.”
Jeremy huffs. “Or she couldwinthe Pitchpocalypseandthe man and become a goddess of legend. Ever think of that?”
Maya levels him with a stare. “Real life, Jeremy.”
Jeremy huffs. “Boring. Zero stars.”
I cover my face with an arm.
Jeremy is wrong.
Maya is right.
I need to stay focused.
And yet.
I drop my arm and glare into the camera.
“You’re both the worst.”
Jeremy grins wider. “I know.”
Maya sighs. “I’m aware.”
