Page 100 of Brooklynaire

Steadier on my feet now, I step out of Castro’s grasp. “You boys need anything? I’m going for arefill.”

“Nope, I’m good,” Castro says. He actually pats my head. Since he’s a foot taller than I am, it’s not as weird as itsounds.

I make my way toward the food table and nab a bite-sized quiche. I don’t even want to know what the hotel is charging us for these. I pop it into my mouth and take another one. Wasting them won’t helpmatters.

After getting a soda from the bartender, I turn around and find Nate again. His gaze locks on mine, and it’shungry.

I shouldn’t stare, but it’s hard to look away. I’ve known him for seven years. And now I’ve touched him everywhere. Hell, I’vetastedhim everywhere. But even so, we are like a math problem I can’t quite grasp. Nate plus Rebecca. He wants me, but I still don’t know why. When he looks across this room full of partygoers, what does hesee?

Because I see a tired office manager whose ankle brace is biting into her foot. She’s a little too short, a little clumsy from a knock on the head, and her tummy is bloated from mini quiches and periodcramps.

Maybe it’s time forbed.

I give Nate a tiny smile. Then Hugh taps him on the arm to regain his attention, and Nate looks away fromme.

So I take that as my cue to go upstairs tobed.

23

Nate & Rebecca

Nate:I hope you’re sleeping but I just wanted to say that I miss you. I was going to say it as a palindrome but I struck out. I would also like a palindrome for: why are you not in my suite rightnow?

Becca: Hi, sailor. Was just dozing off when my phone lit up. I don’t know a goodnight palindrome, either. But are there sexy ones? I mean besides NOT A BANANABATON.

Nate: NAOMI, DID IMOAN?

Becca: Good one. Did you have to Googleit?

Nate: Let’s pretend you didn’t just ask me that.Please.

Becca: I feel no guilt at Googling them. Found STRAP ON NO PARTS. But it’s only sexual if you have a really dirty mind, likeme.

Nate: Don’t ever change. Love your dirtymind.

Becca: Also questionable: SIT ON A POTATO PEN,OTIS.

Nate: Poor Otis. How about, EGAD, NOBONDAGE?

Becca: Too prudish. I prefer: NO, TIE ITON.

Nate:Touché.

Becca: Thankyou.

Nate: Hornynow.

Becca: Sorry. I know wordplay gets youhot.

Nate: Rawr. It does. But so do you. Where are you? I could sneak into your hotel room. Some day I don’t want tosneak.

Becca: …

Nate: Hey. Don’t freak. I’m notcomplaining.

Becca: I’m not freaking. I’m thinking. Remember that most people think more slowly than you. My brain needs time to figure things out, like the rest of usmortals.

Nate: I love your brain. And also yourboobs.