Page 102 of Black Reign

Waiting.

This is worse than the boat.

Significantly.

“I don’t know her.”

Jade’s brows lift.

“Bullshit.”

“Jade.”

“You’ve talked to her for years.”

“That’s different.”

“Why?”

Because she has no face.

No name.

No place in the physical architecture of my life.

Because the moment she becomes real, I lose the safety of pretending whatever exists between us is merely intellectual entertainment.

I straighten my cuff.

“I find her interesting.”

All four groan.

I look toward the ceiling.

“Not again.”

Hannah laughs.

“What?”

“Apparently that word is unacceptable.”

“It’s awful,” Isa says.

Stella nods.

“Very.”

Even Jade agrees.

“Coward’s word.”

I stare at them.

“I liked this wedding more before I came upstairs.”

Hannah smiles.