Page 10 of Dice & Dekes

She signs the last dotted line and slams the pen down on the desk. “I’m leaving. I’ve got to get ready for that VIP appointment later.”

Julie clears her throat. “Are you sure you’re in any condition to be flying right now?”

Knova pauses to look around at the three of us. When her eyes meet mine, I fight the urge to turn my head away. I have this irrational fear that she’ll be able to read my thoughts as they scroll through my brain, like the output on a teleprompter.

If she could read minds, I’d be screwed. Because right now? I’m thinking this marriage might not be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.

Actually... it might be the best.

I mean, I wouldn’t have gone through with the wedding if I’d been in my right mind, but I’m also not upset that it happened. This could be an opportunity of sorts. Like fate or something. Maybe we could give this whole marriage thing a go?

If I was going to wake up surprise-married to anyone, I’d want it to be her.

Knova lets out a shuddering breath. “I think now’s the perfect time to get as far away from everyone in this room as possible. I can fly under pressure, no problem. I literally flew seriously injured soldiers out of war zones on the regular.” She turns on her heel and stomps out of the room.

Ouch. Curb-stomp my heart, why don’t you?

When she’s gone, Julie gathers up the NDA paperwork and tucks it under one arm. “I’m going to get on this. Dante, my love, can you please refrain from having any more brilliant plans, at least until I get this one sorted out?”

Dante bobs his head. “Fine, fine. I’ll just sit here and play Bejeweled on my phone.”

Julie’s eye twitches, but she stalks out of the room at the same brisk pace as Knova, leaving Dante and I alone. For some reason, it feels like we’re both in time out, although I don’t know what I did to end up here. Why am I in trouble?

Okay, yes, I told Knova to sniff my dick this morning. But it was a joke! We’ve said way worse things to each other over the years.

Not when she was this upset, though. Goddammit, why is my first impulse always to run at the mouth? I like ragging on people, but sometimes I realize that I’ve gone too far even as the words leave my lips. Why did I say something gross and dumb instead of something that might make her wonder if there really is a spark between us?

“Kid, you look like someone just put sugar in your gas tank. And that doesn’t bode well for bringing back my magic.” Dante’s chair creaks as he leans forward and steeples his fingers. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I say automatically.

Dante makes a sound like a game show buzzer and gives me a thumbs-down. “Try again. I saw your face. Full on regret.”

I reach up to touch my cheek. “What’s wrong with my face?” Don’t tell me I’ve had spinach stuck between my teeth this whole time or got a giant pimple since the last time I checked the mirror. I had pretty bad acne in high school, and I’ve been self-conscious about it ever since.

Understanding blooms on Dante’s features. His lips part, and his eyes pop wide. “Oh.Oh. You like her. Hm.” He bobbles his head side to side like he’s weighing his thoughts. “That is a... choice.”

I stuff my hands into my pockets, which isn’t terribly effective since I’m still wearing my dress slacks from last night and they have those crummy little tux pockets that are mostly for show.

Dante snaps his fingers. “Spill it, kid. We just signed NDAs, after all.”

“I’m in love with her, okay?”

The room goes still.

Even Dante doesn’t know what to do with that one.

Hell, neither do I.

That… isnotwhat I’d planned to say. I’ve never admitted my feelings aloud to anyone, and Dante’s the last person I’d have planned to tell. But my head is killing me, and my feelings are all mixed up, and heasked.My boss may be a lot of things, but he doesn’t gossip.

Dante slaps his palm against the desk. “Ahha!I knew it! I don’t make mistakes, kid. Even my slip-ups turn out to be gold. So, here’s what we’re going to do. You’ve got your shot. I got you married. I’m not saying trap her, kid. I’m saying buy yourself some time. Give her a chance to see what’s real between you—without all the pressure.”

“She made it pretty clear that she wants out.” Do I sound wistful? Dammit, I think I do. “I’m not going to force her to stay married to me.”

“Who said anything about force?” Dante shakes his head a few times. “No, that won’t work. But let’s just say I drag my heels on this paperwork for a minute. Knova’s mad at me, not you.”

“I think you underestimate her,” I warn.

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