Page 84 of You Rock My World
“Make room,” Josie says, and Penny scoots over. Josie climbs on and looks at me. “You joining?”
No way I’ll fit in that tiny bed, so I grab a chair and pull it next to them. Josie loads the story, and, as the first page appears on screen, I’m struck by how breathtakingly detailed the illustrations are. A mermaid with long, wild hair sits perched on a jagged rock, her iridescent tail glistening with a thousand multicolored scales. The ocean behind her doesn’t appear painted; it’smoving, the waves curling and twisting in a dreamlike illusion.
“Wow. These are amazing.”
Josie shrugs but her cheeks become as red as her horns. “It’s just a hobby.”
Penny interrupts, “Read, Auntie!”
“Once upon a time…”
As Josie begins, I lean back in the chair, following the text on the screen and waiting for my lines. When the prince makes his first appearance, I have to stifle a laugh. He has blue eyes, tousled dark hair, and a series of strikingly familiar tattoos.
“Is it just me,” I cut Josie off mid-sentence, “or does the prince look a bit like?—”
“Pure coincidence,” Josie says quickly, but she’s biting her lip, fighting a smile.
“I’m still flattered.”
Josie turns the page purposely.
I deliver my next lines in my “seduction voice” to mess with her. She notices and scowls adorably, but keeps on reading.
When the story ends, Penny is fighting to keep her eyes open. “That was the best,” she says in a small, sleepy voice. “Will you write me a sequel, Auntie?”
“We’ll see.” Josie kisses her niece on the forehead. “Sweet dreams, bug.”
Penny is out before we leave the room.
In the hallway, I turn to Josie. “You should publish it. The art is incredible, and the story is… catchy.”
She waves it off. “I’m just doing it for Penny and because I like to draw.”
“You could still send it to an agent. What’s the harm?”
She hums. “Mmm, I don’t know. I would have to research agents and write queries. I should focus on finding a new job that will allow us to date openly, not chase a unicorn.”
Her answer isn’t just something I hear. It surges through my hands, charging them with the need to reach for her and grab that something that keeps growing louder inside me. Josie is rearranging her entire life for me, and I don’t know what I did to deserve it.
“Thank you.” I pull her to me and kiss her forehead. “I know this is harder on you. And it means the world that you’re doing it for me.”
She drops her cheek on my chest, hugging me close. “You matter more to me than my job.”
“I promise I won’t waste what you’re giving us.” I rest my chin on her head, brushing my hands down her back. “I should let you go to bed. Tomorrow, you need to study for your interview on Monday.”
She nods, her fingers curling around mine before she steps back.
After we say goodnight, I fasten my mask back in place and step out into the night, knowing that even if I’m walking away, every road still leads back to her.
37
JOSIE
November
I didn’t get the job. I failed. The disappointment presses behind my eyes, thick and swelling, ready to split my skull in two as I walk into Dorian’s home office.
I had my interview set for early this morning and drove straight here afterward. I’m the last one to arrive—again. A wave of inadequacy crashes over me. The other people in this room are competent, prepared, and never late. I used to be like them. To have my shit together. But now, they’re a well-oiled machine, and I’m the squeaky wheel.
