“Well, this is hello and goodbye,” he says, tone dry. “I got fired.”
Disappointment sinks my gut. My eyes fall to the broadsheets folded under his arm, which gives me some clue as to why he may have lost his job as a publicist at Fletcher-Wilson. I read his interview in theCedar Hills Gazettethis morning, so I’m sure our boss did too. Monty was an idiot to agree to the interview in the first place, and an even bigger one for the things he admitted to in it. The interview revolved around The Heartbeats Tour, specifically the whirlwind romance that developed between its headlining authors. Monty claims he played matchmaker for Edwina and William during said tour…and detailed every one of his outrageous actions during his so-called matchmaking.
My lips peel into a grimace. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“You did warn me,” he says with a chuckle, though his mirth seems forced. I suppose losing his job isn’t a laughing matter.
He’s right, though; I did warn him. I warned him every step of the way not to do anything he could get in trouble for.Don’t get involved in a seduction bet between Edwina and William. Don’t flirt with Edwina. Don’t take your authors to bawdy parties. Don’t sneak off at every chance you get for a smoke break. Don’t spend the company budget on stupid things. Don’t treat your job like a playground. Did he listen to me? No, of course he didn’t.
I want to say it serves him right, but before I can speak again, he takes a step away. “Well, I’m off.”
“Wait, that’s all?” He pauses at my panicked tone. If I wasn’t so shocked at his attempt at a swift exit, I might be more embarrassed.
And yet…
There’s so much I’ve wanted to say to him. So many things I want to catch up on. I want to tell him why I’ve taken on seelie form full-time. That I’ve started painting. That I’ve found a passion for a career I want, if only I can grow my confidence to become an illustrator. That I’ve been drawing in secret all this time. That Edwina recently found one of my sketches…and liked it.
He shifts back to face me, and the wildest idea of all comes to mind.
What if I invite him to come with me when I make my annual visit back home? Every year I attend the Lughnasadh celebration in Cypress Hollow, my former hometown in the Earthen Court’s unseelie forest. This year’s festival is just a few weeks away, and I’ve been meaning to invite a friend. I’ve never taken a friend back home, but this year is different. This year I want a tether to mynewlife. Someone to remind me that even though Cypress Hollow is comfortable and peaceful and I fit in so well, there’s a reason I chose my new life. There’s a reason I strive to belong in seelie society, even when I make mistakes. Even when I embarrass myself. Even when I get things wrong. And that reason is the friends I’ve made, the life I’m starting to build for myself, and my renewed passion for painting.
The trip could benefit him too. My village specializes in a Lughnasadh matchmaking ritual he’d find quite amusing. Perhaps he’d even play guest matchmaker since he’s so obsessed with bringing couples together.
“Do you maybe want to…” The invitation is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t summon the courage to voice it. Perhaps that’s too much to ask of someone I haven’t seen in so long. So I try something easier. Less daunting. “Share a meal? Catch up?”
Monty’s expression shifts, an unreadable emotion crossing his face. Is he surprised? Offended? This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve misunderstood a social cue. However, I’m not convinced that’s what this is. Because there’s a vicious little beast who’s always awake inside me, no matter what I look like on the outside. She’s a hunter. A killer. She can always recognize easy prey.
And she’s sensing fear.
Fear.
But why? Monty has never been afraid of anything. He’s reckless, bold, and unapologetic. He’s annoying and hilarious and surprisingly caring at times. But I’ve never sensed fear in him.
Before I can assess it further, it’s gone, making me wonder if it was ever there to begin with. Monty’s expression turns smug as he saunters up to me. I freeze at his sudden proximity, my breath catching as he lifts his hand…
And pats me on the top of the head.
Like an animal.
A creature.
My heart collapses in my chest. I meet his eyes and the condescending look he stares down at me with. It’s the last thing I expected from him.
Or maybe it’s the last thing I hoped for.
I thought he’d look at me differently now that I’m in seelie form. I’m not sure how exactly Iwantedhim to look at me, but maybe I expected something more like the wide-eyed awe he held when he first saw me in this body during The Heartbeats Tour. At the gala, when I wore a yellow dress and he shared a dance with me. A clumsy one, but a dance nonetheless. The way he looked at me then made me feel like maybe I was worth looking at.
But this isn’t anything like that. This is patronizing.
I pull my head from under his hand, baring my teeth. “You really do think of me as a pet, don’t you? Even when I look like this?”
There’s no warmth in his eyes as he gives me a wink. “A really cute pet.”
My heart crumples tighter. “You’re an asshole.”
“And here I thought we were friends,” he says with a mocking pout. “See you around.”
I don’t try to stop him as he turns away with a halfhearted wave.
