Page 90 of Shadow

“We’ve been here for an hour.”

“That’s not long enough.”

“It’s long enough for me. This is boring.”

“You’re talking to Dean about basketball.”

“Dean’s talking. I’m listening. There’s a difference.” Roger grabbed a cookie from the table. Chocolate chip. “How much longer?”

“Another hour at least,” Asher said. “We need to be seen. Need to look normal.”

“Normal is overrated.”

“Normal keeps you alive.”

Roger sighed. Took another cookie. Walked back to Dean.

“He’s actually enjoying himself,” Daphne said, amused. “He just won’t admit it.”

“Classic Roger.”

They stood there in comfortable silence, watching people dance. Watching Destiny charm everyone. Watching the community embrace their fake family without question.

“This was a good idea,” Asher said.

“Coming to the dance?”

“Yeah. You were right to trust my assessment.”

Daphne looked at him, green eyes serious. “I trust your judgment. You’ve proven yourself.”

Oh. The words simply punched him in the sternum. He nearly lost his breath. “Daphne⁠—”

“Asher! There you are!” Julie Martinez appeared with her husband. “We wanted to thank you again for helping with the decorations setup.”

“No problem. Happy to help.”

“And Daphne, that pie you brought is delicious.”

“Just followed my grandmother’s recipe,” Daphne said smoothly.

They chatted for a few minutes. Small talk. Community building.

But Asher’s mind was elsewhere. On the lie sitting between him and Daphne. On the truth he desperately wanted to tell her.

But he couldn’t. Not without risking her life. Not without risking the operation.

So he smiled and lied and lied and lied.

By nine p.m., the dance was winding down. Older residents were heading home, the band playing their final songs. Cleanup started.

“We should go,” Daphne said.

Asher nodded. “I’ll get Roger and Destiny.”

He found them near the dessert table. Roger eating his fourth cookie. Destiny saying goodbye to Ellen.

“Time to go.”