“Jen let me use the test kitchen before the shop opened.” I watch Electra’s face carefully. “In exchange for a drink tonight.”
Is it me, or do her pretty eyes flash? I’d like to think that what I felt when she ran to Malachi last night isn’t one-sided.
I can just hear my father whisper, “If you’re ever in too deep, son, forget the surface, head straight for the shore.” One of the few lessons he managed to teach me before the asshole in the other room took his life.
Oh, what I wouldn’t give to fill the man with lead and drag him back to HQ to torture him. I know Trenton and Hudson would appreciate?—
What if I renegotiated Quinn’s release? What if, instead of destroying the mine, I brought Gael Monta in?
I don’t realize I’m white-knuckling my gym bag strap until Electra’s gaze sweeps over my fist. I let go so fast that blood charges into my fingertips, causing them to prickle.
“I know this—” She waves a hand behind her, like she’s blowing away smoke. Except there’s no smoke. “That this isn’t real. But maybe cut down on the womanizing. Especially women the whole family knows.”
It takes my mind a second to catch up. “We’re only going as friends.”
If thiswerereal, I’d have shut down Jeneva immediately. Truth is, I almost did, but then I thought it could come in handy.
“I told her that you and I were dating.” When Electra’s silence endures, I add, “That’s why I really wanted to bring something homemade. First impressions and all.”
“Even if my mother falls under your charm, it won’t change the fact that this is make-believe. You really need to remember that, or you’re going to get hurt.”
Her reminder feels like a sprinkle of lemon juice on a knife wound. Did I completely misread her last night?
I take a step back. “I should go.”
“Yeah. You should.” Electra’s mismatched eyes are liquid, churning with thoughts I’d pay good money to learn. Suddenly, they light up. “Did you really tell Jen we were dating?”
I like that she’s still ruminating on this. “Yes.”
“And she still asked you out?”
“She figures you and I aren’t serious, given that you’re hung up on another guy.”
Electra’s mouth flattens, and the preternatural light drains from her stare. “How the hell does she— Whatever.”
“Come with me tonight. Show her that itisserious. Jen loves to gossip, so she’ll spread the word around town, which will help sell our relationship.” I call the elevator, which instantly dings. “We’re meeting at Cliché at nine. I’ll text you the address.”
She snorts. “I’d rather go on vacation with Ines.”
Instead of stepping into the elevator, I pivot. “Please.”
The Atlantean leans against her doorframe. “I’ll think about it.”
I realize that’s not a yes, but it’s also not a no, which I consider a win. Jeneva will hate it, but hopefully, it’ll cool off her zeal to pursue me.
I turn back around to call the elevator again, only to find the doors gliding open. Someone’s in a hurry to get rid of me…
I make sure to act surprised by peering between the call button and my ride a few times before finally stepping inside.
My stomach dips as the elevator plunges to the parking level. I don’t get how people enjoy living so far above the ground. I suppose the Atlanteans aren’t afraid of a sudden housefire, or a malfunctioning windowpane, or psychopathic stepsiblings eager to toss you from their thirty-third-floor rooftop.
I’m only alive to tell the tale, because Quinn knocked out an unsuspecting Hudson with a bat, before swearing to Trenton that she didn’t love me like she loved him.
He’d asked her to prove it by agreeing to go out with him.
I’d yelled at Quinn not to, but what did my best friend do? She said yes, but only after making him promise to set me on my feet.
High on his win, Trenton had flung me aside as though I’d weighed no more than Quinn’s bat. My glasses had fallen somewhere in the street below, but their absence had done nothing to spare me the shine of Quinn’s cheeks.
