Page 13 of The Other Side of Together

“I saw your face. A light went on in your eyes.”

“That’s whatever you put in that tea.” I slip the Magic 8 ball into my backpack and reach for more fortune cookies to calm my violent craving.

“No more for YOU!” She snatches the jar from the counter, holding it protectively.

“What did you put in my tea? For real, Guo. Why do I feel like I just took down a cup of weed?”

“Ah, you got the munchies?” She giggles, her teeth looking a little like a rabid squirrel’s.

“Little bit. Would probably do anything right now for that whole jar.”

“Anything…?”

“Likely.”

“I have a job for you, then.” She shuffles up to me. “Mei Li isn’t home right now.” She grabs a dusty blue silk rose fromthe vase by the register and shoves it at me. “Leave this on her windowsill. So romantic. Go. Now.”

“Uh. Not a chance. If I had a style, that wouldn’t be it, Guo. Besides—gotta go raid the Oreo aisle right now.”

“No.” She tightens her hold on the jar when I eye it. “You do it. It will make her night.”

“Nope. She has my number but hasn’t used it. She’s probably with her boyfriend. Wishing she still had her lips.”

“No boyfriend. Go. I’ll give you all my cookies and buy you a week’s supply of Oreos.”

I raise my eyebrows, tempted. “Dude…Guo—do you know how many Oreos I can consume in one sitting?”

She nods like she’s having a seizure. “It doesn’t matter when love is at stake.”

“Love? Ease up, Guo—we just met.”

She slides the jar under the counter and straightens. “Guo Mama sees and knows everything.”

“Everything?”

She nods. “Everything.”

“You talk to her since last night?”

She shrugs.

“Know something I don’t?”

Guo hands me a note, then pats my butt. “I know many things you don’t, baby Marcus.”

CHAPTER 7

Buddha doesn’t like to pry, but we’re both wondering what you’re doing right now. I’m thinking about your time travel question. Before meeting you, I would’ve said 1966 World Cup. England v. West Germany. But now, I choose two weeks ago. Guo’s shop. But not telling you why. So don’t ask. These lips are sealed. Unless I have an unfortunate encounter with Face Eater and he gnaws them off. Kidding. He’s not my type. Hoping he’s not yours either. Gotta go. Buddha has a juicy secret he wants to tell me about you and your boyfriend.

—M

Ishove Marcus’s note deep inside my pocket and wish I was with him and Buddha instead of at Nick’s gate which shrieks when I push it open, then slams behind me. It’s probably best I’m not with Marcus, though, because I’d be tempted to tell him what’s happening with Nick and never hear from him again.

I hesitate before taking the seventeen steps to the towering metal door, but the sooner I get in, the sooner I get out. My plan was to ignore Nick for a day or two while I figure outhow to talk to him about the alley, but Baba insisted I run this package to him.

My finger hovers over the doorbell, but the lock clicks and the door swings open.

Holden’s a giant shadow in the doorway, his shirt half tucked in, blond hair plastered to his forehead. His eyes graze my body, lingering on my chest. I fold my arms and he laughs before motioning with his head for me to follow him.

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