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“I could send you a life-size cutout if that’ll help.”
She held her hands together in prayer. “Please.”
His demeanor turned serious. “Uh oh.” His face closed in on the screen. “Is that a worry line I see? Do you need advice, botox, or bail?”
“Advice. Hypothetically speaking, I might have found an expensive watch in AJ’s backpack.”
Paco nodded in understanding, steepling his fingers to his chin. “Go on.”
“And I have a feeling he’s stolen it. What should I do?”
Paco’s listened attentively. After a moment of thoughtful silence, he replied, “Confront him gently, Madison. It’s important to give him a chance to feel like you and Alex are his safe harbor. And if he isn’t ready to confess, give him time. Remind him you and Alex are here for him, no matter what.”
Madison nodded gratefully. “I’m glad you feel that way, Paco. Because he may have stolen it from you.”
Paco blinked at the screen. “I see.”
“Is that all you can say?”
Cautiously, he narrowed his eyes. She could tell there was so much more he needed to say. So much that his head might actually explode if he didn’t say it. Instead, he nodded. “Yes.”
Madison studied him for a beat. “I looked the watch up. You’re very zen over a missing six-figure watch.”
Before he could respond, Alex walked into the room, his stance, defeated. “That kid totally kicked my ass.” He laid a sad kiss on Madison’s lips and stared at the screen. “Paco, do they have tutors forQuantum Vortex?”
“Ascendency?”
“No,Reckoning.” Alex frowned. “How many versions are there?”
“Twelve,” Paco replied without missing a beat. “And if you’re planning on leveling up your game, you’ll need a high-ranking player as a mentor, not just any amateur tutor. These versions are replete with complex algorithms, unique physics engines, and real-time multiplayer strategies. Grasping the intricate dynamics, character skill trees, and exploiting map terrains is an art form in itself. Plus, each iteration has its unique mechanics and meta-gameplay that evolve with each patch update.”
Madison and Alex blinked at the screen, then at each other. “Something about mentoring,” Madison offered.
Alex shook his head inadequately. “All I heard was twelve.”
Paco chuckled. “One of these days, when I have some free time, we’ll play.”
“Well, you’re the puppet master of half of the free world, and I’m about to be a father of three.”
“Jumping the gun,” Paco warned, his arched brow scolding.
Alex pinched his thumb and finger together. “Maybe a little.”
Paco smile. It was hard not to. Alex was beaming like a loon. Paco clasped his hands, and indulged him. “So, Alex, how’s fatherhood treating you?”
A smug grin formed on Alex’s lips as he replied, “I am killing it. AJ and I have been bonding like…”
“Long lost relatives?” Madison offered.
He snapped his fingers. “Exactly.” Alex crossed his arms, full superhero stance. “We’re practically the dynamic duo.”
Paco chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement. “Just don’t let the keys to the Batmobile out of your sight for a second.”
“Speaking of which…” Madison took his hand gently. “There’s something we should discuss.”
Paco raised a hand. “Sorry, World’s Best Dad. Gotta run.”
Madison shot Paco a glare.Apparently the puppeteer of half the free world is a total chicken.
