I join in the celebration, saying which books I’m going to read with this new openness, but post with lots of abbreviations, mistakes, and American spellings rather than British. This is my best chance yet, I reckon. It’s so subtle I can’t imagine anyone but my friends noticing.
They’re all corrected when they’re live, like Kirill is my personal spell checker.
I have to admit, I’m enjoying the challenge of this game of cat and mouse we’re playing.
Wait, it’s not a game. Is it?
I glance across at Kirill each time he foils my attempt. He meets my eyes, and nods. When I get a smirk for the music, my heart does a silly little happy dance.
Next I make a normal post, but in the middle of the hashtags, I put #messagemenow.
The tag is removed when it’s posted, but a new message pops up.
YourVillain
What do you want to say, lapochka?
TessReads
I want to tell them what’s happened!
Across the room, Kirill sighs deeply.
I think that’s it, but a few minutes later, I’m watching the chat, and I’ve messaged the group. Except,Ihaven’t.
TessReads
Just to let you know, I’ve been kidnapped by a morally grey billionaire. Might be a bit slow to respond to messages, sorry.
The shock practically makes my hair stand on end.
“You told them!” I splutter.
“You wanted to inform them of your plight,” he says mildly. “Let’s find out what they think.”
The replies flow in from my friends.
I knew you’d join us on the dark romance team eventually, Tess!
Jealous.
Congrats. Happy for you. Nice.
Does he have a brother? :hair twirl:
We’ve told you before about the separation of real life and fiction, right?
Take all the time you need. I’ll be over here crying into romance books while he calls you his good girl. Sob.
Hashtag life goals.
“I bet you’re pleased with yourself,” I say aloud. This basically guarantees any messages I do manage to get out will be considered a continuation of the joke.
I’m stuffed. He has outmanoeuvred me.
“Yep,” he says cheerfully. His smile is so incredibly smug, I want to remove that expression by any means necessary. Maybe a slap or a… Kiss.
Damnit.
