Page 7 of Instigator

“No, I’m good. Let’s do this.”

I pick the controller up off the coffee table and settle back on the couch, pulling my blanket over my lap. “I didn’t know if you were working late tonight.”

“Tomorrow,” he says. “Had a gaming session with—some coworkers. We’re back on the road tomorrow night.”

“That’s tough. How long are you gone for this time?”

He’s quiet for a moment, then murmurs as he counts. “Three cities. Seven days.”

“Yikes. That doesn’t sound fun at all.”

He huffs out a breath of laughter. “It’s work. It’s not meant to be fun.”

“Will we… I mean, are you able to game after work? I don’t know what time zone you’ll be in.”

“We’re headed to Atlanta, Nashville, and Tampa.” He hums. “Then it’s home for a bit, and then we’re on the road to Austin and Dallas.”

“I don’t know how you do all that travel.”

When I had the business, I had a few trips I couldn’t avoid, but I did everything on videoconferencing as much as possible. I don’t know the specifics of what he does, only that he’s always busy.

Wish makes a gruff noise halfway between a grunt and a chuckle. “I don’t really have any other option.”

“You could get a new job?”

“Nah. I love what I do. I’ve spent my life working for this.” He clears his throat. “How was your day?”

“Good. I went to yoga, had a board meeting, and ate dinner with some friends. A nice, low-key day.”

“No work?”

“Not today. My meeting got rescheduled, and it fucked up my schedule.” I shrug, even though he can’t see it. “I’ll put in some extra hours tomorrow. Or maybe tonight before I fall asleep. One of my developers found a bug that I need to work out.”

“You’ll get it,” he says, ever confident in me. “You’re always coding. You’ll have it figured out in no time.”

I grin to myself, his praise as comforting as a warm blanket straight from the dryer wrapping me up in a burrito blanket. “I appreciate your faith in me.”

“Anytime, Annie,” he murmurs. “Anytime.”

four

. . .

Aidan

“Please?”

“No.”

My sister sighs. “Aidan, please.”

“I don’t want to.” Glaring at her, I cross my arms over my chest. “And you can’t make me.”

Fuck, I feel like we’re back in elementary school. This is what she reduces me to. We’re children again, squabbling over every little thing. As much as I sometimes wish we could go back to those innocent days when our parents were still alive and nothing bad ever happened to us, I have to admit I like our relationship now as adults so much more.

Except when she tries to guilt me into doing things I do not want to do.

Still, Hailey is undeterred. “She’s super cute. And sweet. And nice. You’re going to love her.”