It’s a long story, and I don’t know what parts of it I’m actually allowed to tell.
She doesn’t look satisfied with that, but Margot interrupts. “Chrys works for theAgencyin the marketing department. She’s probably seen more dicks than you have.”
That’s very possible, and I pounce on the chance to change the subject. “Yep, who knows, I might be the reason some of you are here.”
“Are you the one who pitched the idea of Playlien? Because that’s the reason I’m here,” Hazel says with a smile that tells meshe’s not joking, and then she blushes, like she may not have meant to say that.
Nina nudges her. “What she means is she took one of the ‘aliens next door’ quizzes and then the guy she got was in her matches the next day.”
“I mean… that was fate. And fate wasverykind indeed.” She chuckles. “Griz suggested I come work here after I had our second, and I’ve never looked back.”
Nina leans forward and mock whispers, “She basically edges him all day at work.”
I laugh with them, but no. “I didn’t pitch the concept of the magazine, but I have done a few layouts for them.”
“Well, if you need any information to help sell future bondmates on the perks of this life, you can let any of us know.” Ochi waggles her brows. “We could probably write a dissertation at this point.”
“It would be more fun than the one Ididwrite.” Sari snorts.
“She has a PhD in Criminal Psychology,” Hannah tells me.
“Which was great until I realized that the only real way to use it was to work with cops.” She pulls a face and then pretends to vomit.
“You could have started a podcast,” Hazel offers.
“I do not have the voice for that.”
Nina disagrees immediately, but Margot interrupts her, “And now, she works for me, spending half of her time being loved on and the other half of her time on the lookout for red flags.”
“Wait…” Nina sits up straight and glares at her. “Your degree is inhumancriminal psychology. Does that mean you’re watchingus?”
“Yep.” Sari winks at Nina. “You’re good. I’ve only bumped into a few women so far who raised questions.”
For half a second I think she glances at Leah… but I have to be imagining that.
“Most people are weeded out by the Agency’s screenings,” Margot confirms.
“And it’s not a one-to-one cross over, but if I see certain things in Sian men they tend to be a pretty good indicator that something’s wrong.”
“I hate that.” Nina takes a drink to hide her scowl.
“So, tell me what you do love,” I say, wanting to get away from the negative turn we’ve taken.
“Dancing.” Nina smirks. “Flirting.”
Hannah raises her glass. “The glorious sensation of being with men who want you so desperately and will stretch you to your absolute limit.”
“Because of the Vitamin S?” I guess.
“The more you take, the more you can take.” She winks. “If you get my meaning.”
“How muchcanI take?” I ask. “Is there a point when I’d like… OD?”
“Greta?” Margot calls out. “How much Vitamin S are you taking now?”
A tiny woman with artificially blue hair that I didn’t know was here pokes her head out from behind a mirror. “I’m actually down to a half bottle a day. But I have taken as many as a bottle and a half before, so… like forty-six?”
“Any side effects?”
