Page 29 of Darn Knit All

“I know it’s asking a lot?—”

Linc snorted.

“—especially at short notice. But I promised her.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Whatexactlydid you promise?”

Heat crept up my neck as I muttered my response.

“Sorry? I didn’t catch that.”

I cleared my throat. “We’re going on a reality TV show.”

“Like a singles show or something?”

I rolled my eyes. “Jesus, I’m not that desperate.”

“I beg to differ. How many dates have you been on this year?”

I shrugged. “One has to kiss a lot of….” I paused, trying to think of a polite alternative to the gross use of an amphibious creature. “Friends before finding their forever.”

“If not a dating show, then what?”

I hesitated. “A game show.”

“Like trivia?”

“Kind of?”

“An adventure game show?”

I cringed. “Not quite.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Theodore, you’re being deliberately obtuse.”

“You know I fucking hate that name.”

“Then tell me exactly what you’ve signed up for.”

“It’s a fashion show.” I swallowed hard, bracing myself for the forthcoming roasting.

For a beat my brother stared at me, his face stupefied. He shook his head as if to clear it. “Sorry, I must have passed out. Did you sayfashion?”

I nodded, wincing.

“And you’ll be Mai’s—what? Apprentice? Helper?”

I shrugged, not wanting to go too much into the details. “Something like that.”

“She knows you can’t sew, right?”

“I can too,” I responded, aware I sounded like a petulant toddler.

“You were in the hospital getting stitches last week.”

“Well, I can knit.”

Linc snorted. “Unless you’re asked to knit a whole-body scarf condom, I’m doubtful you’ll be of much assistance.”

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