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“Hey man,” I say casually, putting my shoulders back and making myself bigger to shield her. I don’t want anyone to know about Jillien yet. I’m possessive of her right now.
“What the hell you doing?”
“Coming downstairs—and you?” He looks at me strangely and I close my stance so I can try and hide her a little better. I can feel her nails digging into my back. She’s all kitten claws on a curtain.
I babble, “And where you been, James? Having an admirable time?” What the fuck? The woman has scrambled my fucking brain.
“What’s wrong with you?” I shrug but don’t move an inch. My phone dings. “You gonna get that?” Shit, is Jill texting me from behind?
“Nah. Everyone important is here. Let’s get back to our friends. Lead on!” Lead on—what am I doing, running a military operation? Fuck. She’s going to think I’m a moron. I was a sexy god a second ago and now I’m a dork.
“Why are you so sweaty?”
“I, uh, ran down the stairs. Didn’t want to miss a moment of the party.”
Ding.
“Dude, your phone is going off.” I adjust my pelvis, bumping my butt slightly backwards, and I feel her stumble. I can’t help but laugh.
“What?”
She pinches my ass, then puts her hand inside my waistband and pulls back a touch. I can’t move.
“Nothing, just thinking of this meme I saw today.” Fucking James leans in the doorframe and I don’t know what to do.
“Tell me. I could use a laugh. I lost the girl I was targeting for tonight. Can’t find her anywhere. Black dress, low cut.” Shit. He was going to hit on Jillien. I can feel her shaking and trying not to make a noise.
Ding.
I reach into my pants and pull out my phone.
JILLIEN: Your ass is the cutest.
JILLIEN: I’m going to pinch it if you don’t get rid of drinking buddy.
JILLIEN: Did you just bump me?
JILLIEN: Should I pop out like a show girl from a cake and say surprise, I’m right here?!
I gesture to James. “I need a drink. How about you?” He nods and finally turns toward the kitchen. Just as he’s out of sight, I move down a step and turn around.
She’s crouching down and laughing . Her joy filling the drab old stairwell. I smile and put my finger to my lips.
“You are trouble, woman.” I hiss at her.
She stands up and I step out of the staircase. Then she grabs the doorknob and slowly closes herself into the staircase while grabbing her chest and giggling.
6
JILLIEN
His mother just finished talking about the Vineyard and how she downsized to a smaller house. And Liam took the family house over in Vineyard Haven as well as this one. I wonder why he keeps stepping into his childhood homes. I glance around for him and then at my phone, anticipating a text. He startles me by whispering in my ear, “Tell me about ChiKid.” I’m giddy he knows my work. No one ever wants to talk about it.
“I pair the city’s STEAM resources and mentors with kids all over Chicago for free. It’s all underwritten. Like, I’ll match The Field Museum or Lookingglass Theatre with kids into archeology or theater—specifically adapting books to theater. The kids get practical and creative experience they can use. In the beginning, I was obsessed.”
“That’s incredible. I didn’t realize the scope of it.”
“It’s big now, but started small. I let the proposals, grant writing, planning, and staffing fill the open spaces that Christopher, the ex, created.”
