Page 96

Hey, I see no reason why my routine has to change because I had to marry my family’s archnemesis.
Huh.
I guess I need to book time in the kitchen now?
That’ll be awkward.
The kitchen’s plenty big, but the idea of being in a communal area and having to maybe talk to people who are strangers while I frost cookies is horrifying to me.
Sure, I have to get to know them better at some point, but when I’m kinda aching to dive into something creative to take my mind off things, that kills the buzz in its tracks.
“Did you like New York?”
Absentmindedly, I stack my things onto the dresser.
“Sure. I’d have preferred it if I had your budget though.” I shoot him a grin. “I doubt you’d have to live in a tiny apartment with a roommate in a less-than-grand neighborhood.”
“No. I guess I wouldn’t. I think I’d be more alone down there than I am here.”
“You can be surrounded by people and still be lonely.” Softly, I ask, “Areyou lonely, Callan?”
His gaze cuts to mine. I can see his hackles rising—normal in a kid his age with a question like that. To be honest, I’m not sure why I even asked. It’s hardly my place, but his capacity for brutal honesty makes me think of Tee and, in turn, tells me he’d prefer to deal with that than BS.
Before he can snipe at me, I murmur, “I think I’ll be lonely here.”
That defuses the tension.
“If you are, we could… hang out. Do you play video games?”
“It’s been a while,” I demur, not telling him that Tee and I play a few times a week. “That’d be nice. Thank you for the offer. The same goes in return.”
He smiles back.
And that’s how I inadvertently made a friend out of my brother-in-law in the first three hours of knowing himandpissed off my husband too.
Text Chat
Tee: The apartment is empty
Zee: Hello to you too
Tee: No ‘hellos’ when you abandoned me
Tee: *sniffles* It’s a good thing that I love you enough to forgive you for leaving me in Gotham City. All on my own. When Batman is refusing to answer my calls.
Zee: Honey, how about we swap places, huh?
Tee: I’m starting to think Parker was right
Zee: Don’t tell her that whatever you do
Zee: About what?
Tee: Returning to Pigeon Creek
Zee: Babe, I love you but it’s been three days.
Tee: Yeah, but New York sucks without you.