Page 92 of Third Time Lucky

3. Solve this problem now—or at least take my piece of it off the board—and break things off with Elliot completely.

I hate option three. There’s a physical pain in my chest because I didn’t get enough time with him. It’s way too soon. How can I give him up?

It’s only been a few weeks. That’s how. And we didn’t make any promises.

Someone else might want you, but I sure as hell don’t.

The craziest thing is, I think Elliot does. He’s helped me get over my failure with my foster sister. Helped me relax. And he’s wanted me like no one else ever has. Elliot made me realize it was possible for me to love like that. That I’m not broken.

That’s enough, isn’t it? That has to be enough.

I stop pacing.

“Change of plans, Tani. I need you to get yourself together, go out there with me and talk to those reporters.”

They all look shocked, and Tani’s eyes are huge.

“That’s crazy,” she says faintly.

“Yes, but you support my crazy, remember? That’s our rule. I don’t want to run away again, and I need my partner, more than I ever have before.”

She takes a deep breath and nods. “What is it you want me to say?”

“Lots of things you’ll feel bad about later, because we’re going to lie our asses off.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to wait for Mr. Tanaka?” Mr. Gordon says, his voice pitched higher than usual. “You might not have to make a statement at all. He’s usually quite adept at handling things of this nature.”

I run a hand through my hair and grimace. “We’re making a statement. I’m fixing this. For Rue’s sake, if no one else’s.”

“And what happened to the honesty train?” Tani murmurs as she helps me straighten my collar.

“Temporarily down for repairs. This will work. Trust me.”

“I trust you. But once this is over, I might be asking you to do the same for me.”

I narrow my eyes. “Ominous. Can we solve this crisis first? I can only take so much before my head explodes. After that I’m yours.”

“Deal. Now tell me what you want me to do.”

---