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“I thought you wanted the problem to be rampant when prospective buyers were here,” Bolin said.

“A part of me does, but a bigger part of me knows I need to be responsible and deal with the problem I’ve inadvertently created.”

“Noble.”

“Like a paladin?”

“Absolutely. Have you gotten a chance to ask Jasmine about her interest in… things?”

“Things like you?”

“Well, in activities and hobbies that I might also arrange to share. I’m working on my violin rap songs.”

“I’m sure your neighbors appreciate that.”

“I’m talented. They don’t mind.”

“Are you sure? Should I poll them?”

Bolin frowned at me. “No.”

“She played Lil Wayne and Cardi B on the way up to Deming, and she’s hunting for a new job in real-estate finance right now. I don’t think she’s got time for hobbies.”

“Hm.” A slightly scheming look entered his eyes. “If I could help put her in touch with people who are looking tohiresomeone with her skills, she might think favorably of me. Right? She might be so pleased that she would want to get mochas with me.”

“You aspire to lofty goals.”

“I… just want a chance. She remembered my name. Did you notice?”

“I did. I don’t think you need to get her a job though.”

“I don’t have that kind of power. It’d just be introducing her to some of my parents’ colleagues that I’ve known a while. Like… while we’re on the way to the mocha place.”

Bolin was scheming so hard smoke was coming out of his ears. I was on the verge of pointing out that my geeky twenty-two-year-old intern probably couldn’t help anyone with networking, but that wasn’t true, was it? Hisparentscertainly had to be connected and know a ton of real estate bigwigs in the Seattle area. Maybe he could introduce Jasmine to someone who was hiring.

“It could work,” I offered.

“Oh?” His expression cheered. Maybe he’d expected me to crush his idea. “I’ll practice my violin beats too. Just in case.”

“I would.”

“Uhm, do you need any…” Bolin glanced out the open door, waiting for the couple who’d been chatting to pass by before continuing in a lower voice. “I could make you a few helpful items if you’re going on a jailbreak.”

“More bath bombs?”

He mouthed the words.

“The little spheres that made the floor sticky,” I clarified.

“Those were Orbs of Entanglement.”

“Yeah, they were helpful. Though I entangled my own paw a couple of times. It’s hard to keep track of floor stickiness when you’re fighting.”

“I can make some more for you. And some anti-stick powder for your, uhm, feet.”

“Good. I’m going to need everything I can get.”

Bolin turned back to the computer, shaking his head and muttering, “Bathbombs.”