Page 109 of Riot Reunion

“Chinese food,” Carrie says behind me. “I think that’s the general consensus. That okay with everyone?” She looks at me and tilts her head, frowning a little. “Everything okay, babe? You’re looking very serious.”

“Yeah, everything’s cool.” I hand her my phone, though, so she can read through the email as well. Her eyes dart from left to right, taking in the information. To paraphrase, due to unexpected circumstances, the Summer Conservatory placement is now being offered tome.

Carrie only gets halfway through the email before she looks up at me. Her excitement is right there in her eyes; she masked it as best she could when we found out we wouldn’t be moving to Seattle for the program, but I knew she was secretly a little disappointed. “Is this for real?” she asks.

I nod.

“And you’re gonna take it? We’re actually gonna go?”

It’sextremelyfucked up that I’m benefitting from the end of another talented musician’s career, but hell. I’m not going to turn the placement down. I’d be mad to even think about it. I nod again, and Carrie squeals. “Oh my god! Holy shit!YES!”

“Hey. What’s going on?” Presley has emerged from the bedroom, her hair neatly brushed, make-up perfect. She clearly took some time to straighten up after Pax got done with her, but she looks immaculate now. The two of them haven’t quit sneaking off to fuck since she brought him back here on Boxing Day morning. They can’t seem to keep their hands off one another.

“Dash got that placement back in Seattle after all!” Carrie beams. “We’re moving back to the States!”

Excitement swells in the living room, six people all chattering at once. Questions volley at me from left to right. Plans are sketched out.

“We can all meet up again over Easter,” Elodie says, beaming.

Pax stands behind Presley, placing his arm around her, holding her in a loose but unmistakably protective way. “Isupposewe could stand to meet up again in a couple of months.”

“Vancouver. New York. Anywhere but New Hampshire,” Wren says.

Carrie bounces on the balls of her feet, her grin spreading from one ear to the other. I haven’t seen her this happy in a long,longtime. She didn’t see the final text message that came through when she handed back my phone, so I won’t ruin her mood. Fornow. I’m shit at keeping secrets, and this one’s a doozy.

Odette’s Country Farm Kitchen:Great news! Odette’s now hires students! Your part-time position with us will never conflict with your studies, and we think you’ll find our benefits program to be extremely competitive.

Me:I’m NOT working with you, Michael.

Odette’s Country Farm Kitchen:We can’t wait to start your on-boarding process soon. In the meantime, rest up and enjoy the holidays!

The meaning of these messages is pretty clear, and it doesn’t look like Michael will be taking no for an answer. It looks like I just got press-ganged into working for Zeth Mayfair.