Page 15

Finally, five long, boring days are over, and my first week is done. It wasn’t so bad, honestly—except for the phone calls. I hate talking on the phone, it’s weird not being able to see facial expressions. Makes me nervous.

Declan had a bunch of conference calls I had to notate. I guess he handles the financial side while his brother does...everything else. They’re so different for being twins, like night and day. They don’t even look alike.

Where Ryann is all hard edges and scowls, Declan’s softer—sunnier, with jokes and dimples. He had me run down to the Café for him multiple times this week, which I didn’t mind because he’s just so nice. He even offered to buy me lunch. Paige has only been dating him for a few months, but I get what she sees in him. I think he’ll be a good boss.

It’s his brother I’m going to have issues with.

Since Monday, I’ve done my best to avoid being alone with Ryann for more than a few seconds, running out of his office as soon as he finishes whatever task he gives me. Take notes, make copies, order office supplies, pick up his frickin’ dry cleaning—yeah, I’m still annoyed about that. The most exciting part was getting more filament for the 3D printer in his office, and I had to physically restrain myself from talking his ear off about it since I’ve got a small one at home.

“What are your plans for today?”

A voice startles me, and I turn from the maidenhair fern I’ve been studying in the lobby to see the Café barista grinning at me—the guy with long hair. It’s loose now, tumbling around his shoulders like sunshine. He’s been trying to talk to me all week, but I never know what to say, so I usually just shrug and escape.

But now he’s in my space, watching me like he’s expecting something. It takes me far too long to realize he’s waiting for a response.

My plans. He’s asking about my plans.

“Uh, homework,” I answer slowly, taking in his paint-splattered leggings and tight shirt.

His smile widens, bright eyes twinkling as he holds out his hand. “Hey, me too. Maybe we can do it together. I’m KC. Just the letters, like Kansas City.”

“That’s a weird name.” The words slip out before I can stop them, and I brace myself for the inevitable offense as I shake his hand.

Only, it doesn’t come. He just laughs.

“I blame my parents. They weren’t very original. My brother’s name is DJ.”

I squint at him, suspicious. “Really?”

“Swear to God. And my little sister? Guess her name. Go on, guess.”

All I can do is shake my head, unsure what to make of him.

He grins, flashing white teeth. “Aribellianna.”

I just stare at him for a second, completely at a loss for words, before a snort of laughter escapes me—a real one that makes my stomach clench and my face scrunch. “That... is terrible.”

“I know.” He flops down next to me on the bench, our knees bumping, and I can’t help but marvel at him.

“Why so many letters for her, and so few for you?”

“At least mine’s easy to remember.” He nods toward the badge hanging from my lanyard. “But so is Shilo. I like it. It’s pretty.”

That comment catches me off guard. I tilt my head, feeling my cheeks heat as I look back at the fern. No one’s ever called my name pretty before.

KC continues, “So, what do you say? Wanna do our homework together?”

I glance up at him from behind my purple hair, frowning. “Like... at the same time? With each other?”

Like hanging out?

He laughs, reaching out to touch the pin on my shirt. “You’re too cute. Yes, with each other. And then maybe we can play some WoW or something.”

That’s... well, I haven’t done that in a long time. Hung out, I mean. With anyone other than my parents or Paige. I had a few friends back in elementary school, but then we moved constantly for Dad’s job until junior high, and... well, friends got hard to make after that.

I gaze at him as he fiddles with my pin, my thumbnail finding its way between my teeth. Doctor Iskar would want me to say yes.

But I did that last time, and what did it get me?