Page 75 of Cosplay & Consequences

“Bold of you to assume I’m a fan,” she said, punctuating the joke with a playful bump of her hip against my leg.

“Really? I thought you’d be my number one.”

“I believe Faye’s in that top spot.”

I laughed. “Pretty sure I’m taking a back seat to you. She was outlining and taking more notes on the book you gave her when I left for the gym.”

Her eyes lit up in excitement. “Ooo! I have outlines, too! I’m going to have to get together with her and compare notes!”

I tried to stifle a laugh by biting my lip which earned me another hip bump.

“Are you calling me a nerd?”

“Nope. I’m just wondering how you got two people with the biggest trust issues to bond with you so quickly.”

She beamed at me. “Never underestimate the power of books and sarcastic bitches.”

I burst out laughing and slid my arm around her waist as we walked to the garage. “Wiser words have never been said. Have you checked out of your room?”

“Yes, it’s back to my humdrum life for three days until the San Domingo Comic Con starts,” Jess sighed. “I have a ton of footage to edit and a highlight reel to make and post before Wednesday. Plus, one of my authors needs a last minute proofread before she sends it to her publisher. What about you?”

“I have two days of shooting for Minutes and a schedule full of media interviews that will be coming my way,” I said, grimacing.

A pout formed on her lips. “I’m going to miss seeing you every day whenever I want.”

I pulled her to a stop and stepped in front of her. “Who says you’re not going to see me every day?”

Her arms slipped around me, and she leaned up against me. “So, you’re saying this isn’t just a con thing?”

As the scent of her washed over me, Sebastian’s voice echoed in my head.

Tell her, you idiot.

Right then and there, I almost did. Instead, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

Her lips touched mine, and my heart pounded in my chest.

“Want to go back to my place after dinner?” she whispered.

“Absolutely. I’ve been wanting to see these emotional support pants you keep talking about.”

“See them? Or get in them?”

She kissed me before I could give an honest answer.

Jess

The day after the con, Danny left early for his show, and I did my best to fill the absence without texting him a thousand times. I spent the morning doing a live wrap-up of the convention experience while hyping the San Domingo Comic Con panels I would be attending. In the afternoon, I tried to resurrect my Fiona cosplay. However, between the broken boots, torn skirt, and damage to the wig, it was a complete loss.

I was in the middle of proofreading a client’s work when my parents called. With everything that had happened over the last few days, I hadn’t had a chance to reach out and explain. They had seen my endorsement of Danny on social media, and they had questions.

My parents had snuggled up cheek to cheek for the call. They were both smiling, but the guilt gnawed on me as I explained everything that happened. Minus a few personal details.

“I know it was a surprise to you,” I continued. “I should have talked to you first, but he’s definitely the right guy for the role.”

“It was a bit abrupt,” Mom replied with a small nod. “Especially after you said he was ‘meh.’ However, I did see clips of your interview with his performance. I have to say he’s very impressive.”