Page 121 of Pretty Broken Wings

“It really is.” She’s smiling. I can’t see it, but I can hear it, and fuck if I don’t want to kiss the hell out of her right now.

Then, her voice drops. “Uh, no, it’s okay. I didn’t bring my purse.”

Outrage fills me, and I catch it a second before I blurt out something stupid that’ll make Raven run for the hills. Instead, I say mildly, “I want it. I want to hear the story.”

There’s an uncertain pause. I hate that. I want the joyful Raven back.

“You might not like it. I was just a kid; it’s probably stupid now.”

Wait, why is she backing off? It clearly makes her happy. Oh my god, am I coming on too strong? Fuck. I need to chill.

So, I pretend like I don’t care about the book even though it’s the most interesting thing in the store besides her. “Stupid, huh?”

“The main character jumps on the back of her enemy,” Raven says, and I sense the motion of her putting it back. “Since when does that ever work?”

“Hmmm,” I make a thoughtful noise. It would work with me. If Raven jumped on my back, I’d run off with her. But I don’t say any of that. Instead, I just take a meandering step away. “That does sound stupid. How will I ever look at you the same?”

There’s a small pause, and I’m pretty sure I have Raven’s full attention, so I give a tiny sigh as if I’m disappointed. “If you insist on getting it, I’m afraid I’d have to fire you. I specifically put in the paperwork that anyone who reads about back-jumping heroes is out.”

I turn away from her. For a heart-racing second, I think she’s going to shrink away. To be too afraid to sass me.

Then, I feel her tiny hand thump on my back. “You’re an asshole.”

I laugh, and this time, it’s a real laugh. Real joy fills me, and for a second, I feel better than I have in weeks. Months, even. Maybe years.

We keep browsing, and some of that earlier tension is gone. I continue to tell Raven I’m going to fire her, and Raven gives it back as good as I dish it out. I make Raven hand me the book before we go. I’ve gotten past one tiny wall, and it feels like I’ve won a huge battle.

Maybe the rhinorse wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Why not?” Gage stands at the edge of the couch, arms folded, muscles straining against his suit.

“Because!” Anxiety churns in my gut.

“I want to hear the story.”

“I am not reading that to you.” I motion at the special edition we brought back from the store. I was secretly so excited whenhe got it, and I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of it. Buddy sniffs it like it might be a treat. Although I’m not sure how she can stand to use her nose. If it’s bad in here for us, how bad must it be for her?

“Are you afraid you’re going to mess up?”

“No. I just, I don’t want to.” Now, I’m crossing my arms like a child. There’s a slew of emotions churning inside me. What if the book isn’t as good as I remember? What if it’s too slow, and he hates it? What if he judges me for what’s inside? No. This is far too intimate.

“Good. ‘Cause I charge a fee for every word you fuck up.” Gage sits down on the couch, patting the spot next to him with a haughty expression.

“You what?” I sputter. Is he serious right now?

“You heard me. Every fumbled word comes out of your paycheck.”

I see the corner of Gage’s mouth twitch, then he goes back to his mask.

He’s playing.

“How much?” I ask, bending down to grab something.

Gage purses his lips. “I don’t know, I think maybe five–”