Page 97 of The Restoration Program

“No, like the right way. What would you do first if they suddenly came up with a way to get you into a normal-sized body?”

“Oh, Carlos.” Nicole smirked, trying to imitate Burman’s gently disappointed tone. “That’s not helpful thinking. Instead of dwelling on what youcan’tdo, consider what youcando.”

“Consider this: fuck that.”

She laughed. “The first thing I’d do… Find the nearest cat and pet it without fearing for my life.”

“Really?”

“I love cats! Don’t judge me.”

Carlos jutted his chin toward Ryan, shooting her a conspiratorial look. “Sure he won’t be jealous that pettinghimisn’t at the top of your list?”

She shushed him and smacked his arm, giggling. “Fine, what would you do?”

“Cook an actual meal,” he sighed without skipping a beat. “None of this cutting corners off a steak or using those rehydrated packets from the Program.”

“Oh—and go to the movies,” Nicole tacked on eagerly. “I’d get all the popcorn and snacks I could carry.”

“Drive a car.”

She winced. “I might skip that one.”

“Ouch, right. Understandable.”

She glanced at Ryan again, ensuring his back was turned. If he overheard, there was sure to be another argument in the car. “Hey, Carlos? Has Becca ever… Um—”

Carlos frowned, leaning down to hear her. The very real concern clouding his face made her all the more embarrassed. She was blowing this out of proportion. It was a silly thing to even ask.

The words spilled out anyway: “Has she ever said that shelikedyou like this? Like… As a NüPrint? T-that she… likes it?”

She half-expected him to laugh, but his frown deepened with concern. “I mean… The words ‘so cute’ have been thrown around, but she hasn’t gone out of her way to say how much she likes having a Ken doll for a boyfriend.” Carlos’ gaze darted briefly to where Ryan was still being held captive by Todd and Ellis. “Why? Didhetell you that?”

Nicole shrugged, playing with her hair. “It just threw me off when he said it.”

“What, did it come out of nowhere?”

She shook her head and looked down, cheeks heating. “On his birthday. We were in bed.”

“I get the feeling you don’t mean you were about to go to sleep,” he mumbled. “Jesus, Zhou, his birthday was over two weeks ago, wasn’t it? And it’s been bothering you since then?”

“I wish it didn’t. Shouldn’t I be glad, or something?Thisis our only option right now. Maybe I should be glad that he’s okay with me like this.”

He hummed uneasily. “Maybe. But it’s one thing to beokaywith your Restoration. Do you think he meant heprefersyou like this?”

“Of course not,” she blurted too forcefully.

And so what if hedid? Did it mean anything? It could be as all-encompassing as it felt, or nothing at all.

She banished the thoughts as Ryan extracted himself from Todd and Ellis and made his way across the room to her.

“You should start charging them an hourly rate,” Carlos joked, tipping his head back. “Ellis was hanging on your every word.”

“They couldn’t afford me,” Ryan said, smirking. “I’m gonna refer them to you.”

“Don’t you dare.”

Ryan laughed, then looked at Nicole. “So, you ready to head out?”