She smiled. “Thank you.”
More noise came from the bedroom, and I glanced toward it, starting to feel like an interloper. “I think I’m gonna head out.”
Runa grabbed my arm as I started to stand. “What about Theo? Are you going to see him again?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. He literallyblackmailedme.”
Runa shrugged. “So?”
“And treated me like shit.”
She rolled her eyes, grinning. “I’m not asking if you’re going to marry him. I’m asking if you’re going to bounce on it again.”
“You are a horrible influence.”
She sobered. “Don’t you feel like your work is half done? I mean, sure, your debt might get paid off, but there are still more people out there in need of some vigilante justice.”
“Girl, my tummy is too upset to run around this city living out my Catwoman fantasies.”
Runa laughed. “Fair enough.”
“Plus, Theo has enough names. And he already has his foot in the door. Once people from that world realize there’s an ultra-exclusive party they didn’t get a ticket to, they’ll be desperate to find a way in. All I’d have to do is tell him which ones to target.”
“Which gives you a perfect excuse to talk to him again,” she said with a triumphant smile.
28
Stella
My phone chimed with anotification, which meant it had to be either Blake or one of my parents, since I’d set it to do not disturb.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, leaning back from my client, a short, full-figured Latine woman with pink streaks in her hair and a pin-up girl aesthetic. “I have to check that.”
“Oh, thank fuck,” she said. “I was about to ask for a break.”
“Shading is always the worst part.”
She threw an arm over her eyes. “And I can endure two hours straight of it before I need to tap out, but can I tell the hot morgue assistant who works in my hospital that I have a crush on him? No.”
“You’re a catch, Vern,” I said, pulling off my gloves. “He’d be an idiot to turn you down.”
“Iknow that. But what ifhedoesn’t?”
“Then he’s clearly not good enough for you,” I told her, rolling my chair toward my desk.
I scooped my phone up, unlocked the screen, and froze. It was a text from my brother that readPut on a nice cocktail dress. I’m taking you out.
Um... at 10 p.m. on a Tuesday? I’m working?I responded.And you haven’t really spoken to me in over a month? Hi, hello?
I’ve been busy,he texted back.But not as busy as your boyfriend. Trust me, you’re gonna want to come tothisparty.
“Family emergency?” Vern asked, sounding hopeful.
I glanced her way. “Kinda.” What the fuck was Blake talking about?
Vern’s expression shifted to open relief. “We can be done if you need to be.”
“Doyouneed to be?”
