Page 91 of The Romantic Agenda

“Um. Sort of.” Summerflincheswith discomfort, fidgeting and shrinking herself down by hunching her shoulders. “I’m going to, um, uh. I want to look at the shirts. I want to get some for my roommates.” And just like that she flits away to the shirt wall, leaving Joy alone.

Neither of them wants to talk about it? Okay. Weird. More than weird. Possibly horrendously bad.

“I can see you thinking,” Fox says, materializing out of nowhere. He’s standing in front of her, next to the turnstile.

“Hallo.”

“ ‘Hallo’?” He grins. “Not ‘hey, hey’?”

“Oh, that’s only if I greet someone first.”

“There are rules. I didn’t know this. Hmm.” Fox picks up a nameplate from theJ’s and tucks it away in his hand. Joy pretends she didn’t see it, smiling that they had the same idea.

“Something’s not right with Summer and Malcolm.”

“I noticed. There’s also this.” Fox pulls Joy into a hug. He dips his head, so his jaw touches her forehead, and holds her tightly inside a Fox cocoon. She sighs,actuallysighs, from contentedness. She hugs him back, surprised by how relieved she suddenly feels. And how much she needs this. From him.

Joy lifts her head so she can read his expression. “Not that I’m complaining, but is there a reason why we’re hugging in the middle of a novelty shop for tourists?”

“Yep.”

“Are you going to tell me why?”

“Because”—he pauses, voice going low and extra rumbly—“I haven’t hugged you in two hours.” He exhales, gaze flicking to something behind Joy. “And I’m sure you can guess the other reason.”

“Is he looking?” Joy sighs. “He’s looking, isn’t he?”

“You’re right about what you said this morning. I was projecting. But I was also right.” Fox’s deep frown returns. “He doesn’t want me anywhere near you.”

“Joy. Can I talk to you for a second?” Suddenly, Malcolm is there, next to them.

“Ah, right now? I’m kind of—” She glances at Fox, who quirks an unhelpful eyebrow and winks. “Sure.” It’s almost painful when Fox lets her go. She wants to change her mind, and cling to him for a few more minutes while he rubs her back, but Malcolm’s already walking away. So she follows him.

“What are you doing?” Malcolm asks as they stand in a corner filled with gag birthday gifts.

“Standing in a corner of questionable moral character with you.”

“I’m talking about Fox.” His gaze slides past and behind her. Over her shoulder, she sees Fox, still waiting by the turnstile for her to come back. “I know I asked you to keep him company, but don’t you think you’re taking it too far? Summer is... worried.”

“Yes, I’ve heard the jumbled version of her worry.” Joy stares him down. “You asked me to keep him company. Turns out, I like his company.”

A lightbulb clicks on behind Malcolm’s eyes—a giant 1,000-watt monster that leaves him blinking and stammering. “You like his company.” His disbelieving monotone almost makes her change her answer.

“That’s what I said.”

“You andhim?” Malcolm tries to say something else, but no sound comes out. He’s struggling, trulystrugglingto find the words he wants to say next.

Joy isn’t sure what’s happening. The moment feels surreal and blurry, like she’s not getting enough air, but her lungs are fine. Everything in working order and falling apart.

“But you don’t like anyone.” His voice is a ragged whisper, both certain and confused. “You just met him.”

“You do realize I’m allowed to like people, right?”

Is that what’s happening? Is she really telling Malcolm that she likes Fox?Now?

“Of course, you are.” He says it like he believes it. “That’s not... It just seems like the kind of thing you would’ve told me.”

She shrugs. Her fingers are cold when she squeezes them into a fist. “Doesn’t matter,” she says quietly. “It’s your weekend.”