“I thought that technology doesn’t work here,” I pointed out.
“Ez’s old camera works,” she remarked as she continued inspecting the room. “But that’s a piece of junk, and something like that would be difficult to hide. Mm… everythinglookssafe.”
She began shuffling through her belongings. “And it looks like all our stuff is here, even my journal. Hemlock made sure our stuff got here safely.”
“You can take the bed,” I offered. I moved toward the couch and felt for Oberi. I slapped his butt so he’d move over.
Hey, this is my spot!Oberi said.
You can share the bed with Ava, I replied.
No, he insisted.I refuse.
Oberi immediately shifted into a unicorn. I heard the couch buckle underneath her massive weight, and she added,Good luck moving me now.
“Oberi!” I leaned down and began shoving her side. “Get off!”
Help! HELP! I’m being oppressed!Oberi screamed. She didn’t budge an inch.
I wiped my sweaty brow. “It’s no use. We’re not moving a thousand-pound unicorn off the couch.”
Excuse me, I weigh nine-hundred and ninety-eight pounds now, Oberi objected.And this time, I’m keeping it off.
“You’re a conniving little shit,” I snapped. I knew exactly what she was trying to pull.
Glad you noticed my new waistline!
Ava’s voice was tentative. “You don’t…haveto sleep out here. I mean, the couch would be uncomfortable.”
I turned to her. “It’s fine. I’ve slept in worse conditions.”
“I really don’t mind,” she promised. “We’ve slept beside each other before.”
“Yeah, but that was before—” I cut off.Before we broke up.
I swallowed the lump in my throat as the obvious settled between us. “You didn’t marry me to share a room. We got married out of convenience.”
“You still deserve a good night’s rest. Stop making it a big deal,” she insisted. It was obvious she was starting to get annoyed.
“I don’t want to complicate things,” I argued. “We may be married, but we’re nottogether. I know you only married me out of pity.”
“Pity?” Ava repeated, like she couldn’t believe I’d said it. “Charlie, I did what needed to be done to save your life.”
“I know, and I’m really grateful for that, but you’ve already sacrificed enough for me.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, sounding hurt.
I sighed. “I know this is hard for you. This wasn’t planned, and it was sprung on us very quickly. You’re a free spirit, but now that we’re married, I’ve tied you down.”
“You think you’re aweightholding me down?”Nowshe sounded offended. Great.
“Well, we broke up,” I reminded her. “You didn’t want to be with me, and you were forced to marry me. I’m glad you saved me, pidge, but I know this is the last thing you wanted.”
“How do you know what I feel?” she demanded.
I was getting irritated, too. I was just trying to communicate, and she was making it difficult. “You kept saying it all day. You didn’t want the decorations or the party or any of it. I think it’s safe to assume you didn’t want to marry me, and why would you? It was our only option. It’s not like we’re really married.”
“We’re not really—” She gave a loud huff. “Well, I guess my signature on that paperwork meant nothing to you!”
