Page 57 of Cosplay & Consequences

“No. I’m pretty sure I prefer your voice now, Danny,” I said, my tone leaving no doubt as to what I was suggesting.

I saw his smirk in the mirror. “So, I’m Danny now?” he asked.

I deliberately ignored his question. “Do you know when your trailer is going to drop?” I asked instead.

“7:00 a.m. tomorrow,” he said, still watching me through the mirror. “Would you like to join us in the suite to watch the official version? Or do you still need to be impartial?”

“I think we all know the trailer is going to be special,” I said, finishing my last signature. “You probably won’t need my endorsement after it is released. I think the world will know you deserve that part. Lord knows Bennet does.”

Danny let out a bark of laughter. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow then?”

I got up, walking over to where he sat and gave him a soft kiss against his cheek. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. See you tomorrow, Danny.”

He looked into my eyes. For a moment, I thought he might turn around and kiss me back. Instead, he took a breath, staying in his seat. “See you tomorrow, Jess.”

It was his own voice that said those words, but it hit me harder than anything he ever said when he was Tyrst’an.

I don’t even remember what else I said or walking out of his dressing room. I found myself on the soundstage of As The Minutes Tick By. The delightful buzz in my head persisted. It felt like I was walking on air.

One statement kept running through my mind over and over again.

Some girl he’s falling in love with.

He wasn’t the only one falling.

I pulled out my phone and hit record.

“Hey there Tyrant fans, it’s your self-proclaimed Queen of the Valley, Jess Richards! I’m standing on the set of As The Minutes Tick By, and I’m telling you, some absolute magic happened here tonight. I can’t say anything else right now, but you need to be watching your social media tomorrow at 7:00 AM Pacific. Why? Well, let’s just say you’re going to get the Tyrant series you deserve.”

I left the studio, my smile so bright it could light up the night.

Jess

Twenty minutes later, my mood had shifted 180 degrees.

“Past Jessica is a stupid bitch!” I screamed as I turned my ignition key, only to get a sluggish noise from my car’s engine. The check engine light blinked, taunting me.

I shouted out an incoherent string of curses until a knock on my window startled me. I let out a shriek, only to catch my breath when I saw who it was. The Finnegan family peered into the car window with genuine expressions of concern. I let out a groan and rolled down the window.

“So how long have you been watching me?” I asked, my irritation way past the point of embarrassment.

“Not long,” Danny said, obviously lying.

“Well, I’d really like to know what Past Jessica did to get you so mad,” Paige said with her usual smirk and snark.

“As a minor, I’d like to point out that you’re being a horrible influence on me,” Faye deadpanned.

“My car won’t start,” I replied, dryly. Past me should have never ignored that effing engine light.

Paige nodded, giving me some measure of empathy. “I can relate. I have a lot of beef with Past Paige.”

Danny, meanwhile, popped the trunk on a very old BMW parked one spot away from mine. “That’s your ride?” I asked, surprised.

“At least mine works,” Danny quipped. He returned holding a little gadget in his hand. “I need to get under your dashboard.”

“In front of your sister and your niece?” I snarked back as I got out of the car. “Kinky.”

“I didn’t realize you were into that, Danny,” Paige added.