Page 72 of Black Reign

VESPER: Don't make it weird.

His answer arrives.

GHOST: Far too late for that.

I laugh softly.

But my heart is beating harder now.

Weeks.

The invitation is weeks away.

I have time to reconsider.

Time to decide this is reckless.

Time to convince myself the safest thing I can do is stay behind the screen.

Except London already proved what safety gets me.

Ninety-seven minutes of Ghost waiting alone.

Years of wondering what I missed.

Maybe I'm tired of wondering.

I close the photograph vault.

Leave NULL open.

Outside, Paris continues around me, indifferent to whether one anonymous woman decides to meet one anonymous man.

I take another sip of coffee.

Then send one final message.

VESPER: When the invitation comes, I'll read it.

The response is immediate.

GHOST: Progress.

I smile.

VESPER: Do not celebrate.

GHOST: Too late.

VESPER: I still might not come.

The three dots appear.

Then:

GHOST: You will.

Arrogant.