Page 60 of Love is Blind

“How is that funny?”

I fake a laugh.

“Um…I didn’t get to that part yet.”

I’m never going to make it as a comedian. Still, I force another smile, this time adding some teeth to it. “Holly asked what we were doing and I explained how I needed to find a job off the books. Which, for the record, is a lot harder than you would think.”

“That’s because you’re picky,” Emmy argues. “I told you of about five different job opportunities before Holly joined the mix, all of which you shut down.”

Is she for real? I was kidding earlier about disowning my cousin, but I’m starting to think it’s not such a bad idea.

Gritting my teeth, I turn to her.

“You told me I could sell my eggs knowing they aren’t any good!”

“They’re not?” Ghost questions, squeezing my shoulder. I don’t know why I lift my hand to cover his as I turn back to him, but I don’t move it either.

“Genetic disease, remember? No one is going to buy faulty eggs and risk their baby being blind.”

There I go again, sharing too much information.

Dismissing the thought with a shake of my head, I say, “But that’s not even the point.”

“I didn’t tell you to sell your eggs,” Emmy snaps. “I was reading one of the ads and they were looking for a surrogate. It was only a suggestion.”

“Yeah, well it was a fucking stupid one,” Ghost grinds out. As soon as the words leave his lips, he pulls his hand free. That stings for some reason. Of course he thinks it’s a ridiculous suggestion. I mean who in their right mind would trust me to carry their baby for them. I can barely take care of myself—although I’ll never admit that to anyone.

“See even he thinks so,” I say, jutting a thumb over my shoulder.

“Okay, girls, I think we’re veering off the topic,” Holly intervenes.

“Yeah,” Ghost agrees. “I’m still waiting to hear the funny part.”

I laugh nervously, because I have no idea how to tell him. Scratch that—I know how to speak, I’m just terrified of my news being badly received and I’m not sure why. But Holly saves me the trouble and blurts out, “I hired Birdie.”

“What?” Ghost snaps.

Swallowing, I nudge him with my elbow.

“That’s the funny part,” I whisper. “You’re supposed to laugh now.”

Not only does he not laugh, he doesn’t say a word. Clearly, not a good sign.

“I can use the help, Ghost. Leftie’s getting too old to watch Theo all the time and hiring Birdie gives me more time with the kids.” She pauses, then adds, “It also keeps her eggs in her ovaries and her uterus free.”

I don’t really see how that helps the case, but whatever.

“I think it’s good idea.”

Sure I imagined it, I lift my chin.

“You do?” I squeak.

“Yeah.” He leans in close, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear and continues, “You said you wanted to talk, but if it ain’t too pressing, what do you say we get out of here for a little while? Go for a ride. Celebrate you getting a job and me deciding peace is worth more than revenge.”

I don’t know what he means by that last part but spending time with him is something I can’t deny myself. Even if I could, that damn spark won’t let me. Plus, there’s that pact I made with myself, you know, the one where I decided to insert myself into his life as some crazy guardian angel who steals all his pain and replaces it with joy. It’s a longshot since I’m not really a joyful person, but I’m funny. People laugh at my jokes all the time.

“What about Lucy?” I ask.

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