“I thought you were worried she couldn’t act.” I smirk.
“Oh, she can act,” Noah says. “I just don’t know if she can act on the stage.”
“Can I read your campaign module?” I ask. “I’m into emerging genres, and a lot of my fans are gamers.”
Oops. Shitsticks.
“Your fans?” Noah raises an eyebrow.
Jesus. Did I just break character? What the hell is the matter with me?
“Ugh, did I say fans?” I giggle nervously. “I meant friends. Friends. Man friends. Like a lot of the dudes I’ve dated have been big gamers.”
Nice save.
“Your friends are big gamers? Which ones?” He looks doubtful.
“You know, like guys. Guys I’ve dated.” This seems like it might track. Kenna mentioned that she tends to pick losers. And not to typecast, but losers are prone to spending a lot of time getting stoned and playing video games.
Immediately, I see the flaw in this. Those kinds of guys are not into these kinds of games. Too lazy to come up with their own narratives. They just gotta blow up the things other people dream up for them.
“I mean, I’m not really writing this for the first person shooter crowd.” Noah smirks. “It’s still Shakespeare. I’ve met some of the guys you’ve dated …”
Poor Kenna. She really can’t catch a break. All the more reason I should encourage this friendship with Noah. She needs more good guys in her life.
“Come on, Noah. Give me a chance? I’m into fairies, and I don’t see anyone else in here beating a path to your barstool.”
“You really want to read my stuff?” He’s starting to look intrigued.
“I would love to roll the dice,” I say, smiling my sweetest Kenna smile.
“Okay then.” Noah’s face takes on a new seriousness, and he looks at me with a different level of respect. “I’ll print something out and bring it back. And hey, Kenna? Wanna grab dinner sometime? Even if you change your mind about reading the campaign module, I’d love to take you to dinner. You’ve been so kind to me during my recovery.”
“Of course. I’d love that.” I twist side to side on the seat, releasing the nervous energy that’s building up in me. This whole swap is going so well! Who knows, it could be life-changing for Kenna.
“Great chat, Noah,” I pop up. “I can’t wait to read what you’ve written.”
“I can’t wait to hear what you think,” he beams. “And think about where you want to go for dinner?”
“Will do!” I excuse myself back to the kitchen. Best to exit on a high note.
* * *
“You did NOT say Kenna would read Noah’sDNDcrap!” Georgia is looking at me with a look of sheer horror. I wonder if she would mind if I snapped a photo? I’d love to preserve the expression.
“I did!” I fling myself sideways into the frumpy, old armchair in the back corner of her shop, causing her to do a double take.
“What?” I ask, kicking off my shoes and rubbing my feet.
“It’s just … just then, you really reminded me of Kenna. She’s always sitting sideways in that chair, too. Always has.”
“Well, obviously”—I scooch back a little, making myself comfortable—“it’s the correct way to sit in a chair like this.”
“That’s what she would say, too.” Georgia narrows her eyes at me. “Are you two related or something?”
“Who knows?” I shrug breezily. No point in speculating. The DNA tests will come back soon enough.
I hear my momager’s voice in my head.“Do you really want to open that can of worms, Lorelei?”
