Page 72 of I Think They Love You

“Ideas like—?”

He wonders if Kami has changed her mind. If she’s starting to see things like Eva does. Likehedoes. Going back to their roots—wedding planning.

Kami grins. “After the toasts, I thought we should offer a lucky guest the opportunity to throw Emily in front of a MARTA bus.”

Or maybe not. A laugh hangs in the back of Denz’s throat, but the tears threatening to spill out silence it. His lips manage to twitch upward.

“It’s nothing personal, Denz. Dad means well.”

“I can’t tell.”

“We’re never going to do things like him.”

“I don’t want to belikehim,” Denz says stiffly. “I want to be better. I want to be good eno—” He stops before the last word comes out.

Kami’s soft eyes say she already knows. “Letting him get the best of you isn’t how you win this game.”

“Is that what it is?” He finally laughs, a wistful noise that carries in the silent offices. “A goddamn game? Me versus you? Some sort ofMad Maxshitshow where we tear each other apart for their pleasure?”

“It’s not like—”

“You didn’t have to save me at the mayor’s party.”

“Of course I did.”

“I would’ve figured it out.”

“It’sthe mayor. Not some rich, pretentious family of ungrateful assholes in a city full of rich, pretentious, ungrateful assholes.” She frowns. “Our reputation was on the line. If you look bad, we both look bad.”

“We’re not the same.”

Kenneth made sure he knew that earlier.

“We’reCarters,” Kami reminds him. “That’s all the people dying to apply for this job care about.”

“Whatever.” He stubbornly looks away.

“Denz,” she tries, her voice gentle. “It’s not a competition.”

“Itis. And I don’t want to lose. This is my dream.”

“It’s mine too. But for different reasons.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means…” Kami pauses, chewing her lip. “It means I don’t think we’re in it for the same thing. I know you. We grew up across the hall from each other. I wonder if…” She releases another breath, her eyes searching his face. “If it’s my dream and your fantasy.”

The sting from holding in his tears is almost too much now.

Quietly, she adds, “I’m trying to help you.”

“I don’t need it!” Denz hates how screechy his voice is. Hates the way Kami backs away, confused and wounded.

“Wait, Kam—”

“I forgot a… thing. For Nic. In my office,” she stammers. “Get home safe, okay?”

Denz doesn’t know how to reply. He doesn’t have to. The elevator doors slide open. He climbs inside, alone. Kami remains in the same spot, unmoving.

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