Page 8 of Stuck

“Ask your questions,” I finally say.

“You’re for real.”

“It’s not like you’re a stranger,” I say under my breath. “You knew me at my worst.”

“That was your worst? And you ended up doing…” She licks her lips. “Something that got you banned from airplanes?”

“It was part of the agreement. It’s almost done. I’ll be able to fly to Ottawa next year, although I’m sure I’ll have a hassle the first few times.”

“You seem chill about that.”

I laugh hollowly. “I’ve adjusted to the surreal nature of my predicament. And again, it’s entirely of my own making.”

“You added that caveat again.”

I always do. I take a deep breath. “I ruined my life before it really got started. I don’t want to make that same mistake. In general, I believe in ruthless honesty. It’s humbling.”

“But you didn’t mind when I gave you a different name?”

No, I really hadn’t. I was more curious than anything. “You had your reasons.”

She hesitates.

“Didn’t you?” I arch one eyebrow. I don’t really care. She doesn’t owe me anything.

Slowly, she smiles. “Ruthless honesty?”

“It’s a good policy.”

She licks her lips, the tip of her tongue pink and nimble. “Okay. So, the thing is, Aibhlin…that is my name now. In some ways. I’m a writer. It’s a pen name.”

“What do you write?”

“Words strung together in sentences. Lots of them.”

I suppress a chuckle. “How mysterious.”

“Mmm.”

Her eyes are definitely sparkling now, so I take a gamble. “Were you enjoying our game until I ruined it?”

She purses her lips, then nods. “Yes.”

“Damn. So was I.” I think about her ice demon story. “You’re a wonderfully deft storyteller. I’d love to read something else that you’ve done. Anything.”

Her cheeks turn pink. “Do you like dinosaur erotica?”

It’s damn good I didn’t put that bite of lasagna in my mouth before she said that, because it would have launched right back out.

“There’s a first time for everything.” I ignore the rough gravel in my voice suddenly.

“Oh, good.” She blinks innocently.

“Do you—” I reach for my glass, wait a beat, and when she doesn’t help me out, I swill back the last of my rye. “Uh, is that what you write?”

“No.” She winks. “But I really enjoyed that exchange.”

“All right, funny girl.”

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