Page 15 of The Art of Deception

He might have autism, but it doesn’t hold him back—the kid’s fucking smart.

“Thanks, buddy. I’m excited to see it.”

“Come for dinner tonight?” he asks out of nowhere. My chest squeezes. The last thing I want to do is upset Levi or make a promise I probably can’t keep.

“I’m sorry, Levi, I have to work late—”

Suddenly, the phone muffles, cutting me off. I hear Levi grumbling while Tomi mutters something to him, but then the phone clears. “Sorry about that… he likes you,” Tomi gushes down the line.

The uncertainty in her voice is evident as I sink back into my chair. “It’s all good. He’s pretty fucking cool.”

“Well, then, I guess I can’t go back on his offer. You wanna come over for dinner?”

I glance at the clock on the wall, noticing it’s almost six. I still have a shitload of work to do. My stomach rolls with tension—I want to go.“I have to work late, so you guys have dinner, but I can come over after and pick up some dessert on the way?”

“As long as it has something to do with ice cream and peanut butter, I’m happy.”

Humor rattles through me at the combination. “Done!”

“Later, gator.”

I snort out a laugh. “You’re so weird.”

“Using my own words against me. Now you’re playing my game, Just Xander,” she bellows. “See you soon.”

I end the call, my muscles feeling more relaxed merely from talking to her. She makes life easier and fucking harder all at the same time. Her voice banishes every little problem I have. At the moment, it’s just her and me in our comfortable bubble, like there isn’t this fucking sword of doom hanging over our heads. The problem is the sword is swinging, but when I’m back to reality, it cuts the foundation of everything I’m building with Tomi. When she finds out about all the lies, about this deception, the sword is going to cut me off at the neck.

It’s coming.

Huffing as I spin my chair, I get back to work. The sooner I get this shit done, the quicker I can get out of here and over to Tomi and Levi. Back to a happy place. It might all be under a shroud of darkness, but there I’m safe.

It’s here in this office—as Alex, as the real me—that everything crumbles.

Now to send an email, one I absolutely do not want to send.

Chapter Five

TOMI

Xander’s upcoming arrival after work sends shockwaves of happiness through me. I had no idea I would become this stupidly giddy about him coming over.

What am I, a teenage girl all over again?

I can’t believe how pathetic I’m being.

Levi and I have finished with our dinner, and I sent Xander a text with my address, so he knows where to come when he’s done. Levi’s still playing with his video games in the family room while I sit at the dining table working on some drawings like we normally do each night.

I have my laptop open to help with reference pictures, but I’m mainly designing everything freehand when the email alert goes off.

Exhaling, I bring my laptop over and scroll through to see another ‘urgent’ marked email from Alex-asshole-Scott. Rolling my eyes, a heavy sinking feeling takes over my body, but I click to open, knowing I have to start reading.

Miss Beaufort,

Upon further discussions with your landlord, Mr. Jacob Redford, please find attached NOTICE OF LEASE TERMINATION concluding on April 19 for your immediate attention.

This documentation is final and must be met with assistance on your behalf by the deadline. The Scott Enterprises San Francisco megacomplex is moving forward, and with your cooperation, we would like to make this a smooth transition for all parties involved.

The remuneration for your departure from Hope & Faith Ink will be deposited into your account on April 19.

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