I glance up from the laptop. I’m not trying to crush Finn or destroy his ice cream shop. Something inside of me insists that he’s not an enemy. But when I think about him, I still get all worked up, flustered and hot.
Maybe I do need to take Chase’s advice for myself, too, and find a proper outlet for these feelings before I do something irrational.
NotAnOgre: He continues to stress me out. I’d rather not destroy him, though. Too much hassle and potential blowback.
MorningEnthusiast: A softening of your heart?
NotAnOgre: Nah. I’m just practical.
Certainly, there’s a world where Finn has his happy ice cream shop and Chase runs a thriving garage across the street. Hell, I like that idea. But I can’t see how to get there from where I sit, and if Finn keeps trying to shut us down, we won’t be left with much choice but to defend ourselves in earnest.
When MorningEnthusiast doesn’t answer immediately, I type out a message, which I stare at without sending.
NotAnOgre: Considering we both live in New York, should we meet?
My pulse pounds in my ears while I contemplate the forbidden words, equally tempting and terrifying. When he finally responds, I hit delete on my message.
MorningEnthusiast: On another topic, the new chapter I’m sending you is pure smut. Hope you’re excited.
NotAnOgre: I left them naked and trapped in a pocket dimension for a reason. I expect no less.
MorningEnthusiast: Amazing how pocket-dimension physics can affect sexual possibilities.
NotAnOgre: What’s the point of magical worlds if you’re not going to have magical sex in them?
MorningEnthusiast: That’s how Lark feels, too.
I snort out a laugh. We go on chatting like that for a while longer, our attention shifted to fantasy creatures and interdimensional blowjobs. We get down to discussing the geeky, gritty details, and time seems to slip away. When we finally log off, I’m left with a smile on my face.
No way I’m going to introduce him to the real me. The fantasy is too good to risk.
