Page 138 of I Think They Love You

When Denz turns on his phone, dozens of notifications pourin. Texts and missed calls and social media alerts. He sighs, fatigue wrenching his bones as he prepares to swipe through.

“You look like shit.”

He glances up.

Kami stands near the lobby doors. She’s wearing sneakers, yoga pants, an old Emory University T-shirt, curls pulled up into a lopsided bun. Meanwhile, Denz’s button-up and slacks are sticking to his skin.

“You’re late.”

She ignores his flat tone. “I’m here now. Wanted to make sure y’all had everything handled.”

“You mean, you wanted to make sure I didn’t fuck it up?”

The lobby’s fairly empty. A handful of evening staff linger, making last-minute calls for tomorrow. But it’s just the two of them standing on the bronze Vista de Atlas logo carved into the marble floor.

“No,”Kami says, jaw tight. The irritation in her eyes reminds Denz of their childhood. When “allergies” was to blame for the rare occasions they turned on each other.

He hated those days. He’s not fond of this moment either.

“We’re fine,” he says, dismissive. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

Kami arches an eyebrow. “Really? You sound like you need a nap.”

“Where were you?”

“This isn’t just about you,” she replies, deflecting. “I know we’re not exactly Dad’s number-one and number-two picks. Auntie Cheryl told me.”

Denz wonders if he’s “number two” in that scenario. “Then you should’ve been here,” he reminds her.

“I sent Jordan. I did what I could.”

“So did I!” He doesn’t mean to raise his voice, to startle Atlas’s manager as she passes. He can’t help it. “I got here. Put in the work. IimpressedDad. You’re not the only one who can do this job.”

“I never said I was.”

“You did,” Denz argues. “In my office. When this all started. Remember?”

“Denz,” she says with a sigh. “I don’t want to—”

“Where. Were. You?” he repeats.

“In case you forgot, I have ason,” Kami snaps. “Sorry I had to pick him up early from school because he was sick. Or that I had to find someone to watch him because our mom’s on a campus tour with Nic. Because my brother is acting like adickwhile doing the job he signed up for.”

Denz stumbles a little. “Mikah’s sick?”

Kami shakes her head, frowning. “It’s nothing serious. He was fine when I left.”

“I didn’t need you to do all that to get here. I got this.”

“Do you?” She cocks her head. “Like you handled the menu drama on Valentine’s? Or how about something simple, like muffins for the staff meeting? Signing a venue contract?”

“You heard about that?”

“I’m not so focused on me that I don’t notice what’s happening with you.” She bites her lip. “Your track record in high-pressure situations isn’t—”

“God.” Denz drags a hand over his face. “You sound like the aunties.”

“I didn’t mean—”

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