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I FaceTimed Elliot as I walked to a quiet corner of the convention center, near the outer walls.
“Chris is bitching about you.” Elliot didn’t look bothered at all when he answered.
I shrugged. “Because Chris was being a bitch.”
“I figured. Good job. Hey, if you want to hang there for an hour or two, take a long lunch, you should.”
I didn’t know what to make of the offer. Why would I take it easy when everyone else was working? “Because of Chris?”
“In a way. He says I favor you. He’s right and he can gag on my big, fat authority. But also because you put in long hours last night.”
I didn’t miss the slipped in comment, and it filled me with more warm fuzzies. “You worked late too.”
“I’m the boss.”
Seriously? “That’s your counter?”
Elliot huffed a laugh and his smile was worth it. “Because when I crash from pushing myself too hard, I need someone I trust to pick up the slack.”
“You’ve never crashed.” I couldn’t even picture it.
“I’m getting older,” Elliot said.
I shook my head, and out of the corner of my eye, a flash of red and black caught my attention.
“But I know you have my back.” The teasing faded from Elliot’s voice, and was replaced with a more somber tone. “One of us needs to be rested, even if it’s just a long lunch.”
There were even more Harley’s here than my conversation with Chris implied, but I knew instantly which one this was, and I couldn’t help but focus on Fallyn, who sat a short distance away, on the floor, back to the wall.
“I do always have your back.” I gave Elliot my attention again. “Fine. You’ve twisted my arm. I’ll take it easy for an hour or two.”
“Good. See you in a bit.” Elliot disconnected.
I instantly cut a line for Fallyn. When my shadow fell over her, she looked up.
“May I keep you company?” I asked.
She looked surprised, but her smile was invaluable. “I wouldn’t tell many people hereyes.”
“Oh?”
“Fortunately, you’re on that list.”
Good. I took the spot next to her, and mimicked her posture—back to the wall, knees bent, and arms resting on top. I dwarfed her as much like this as I did when we were standing. Hopefully that would keep assholes like Chris from getting too many ideas. Or at least thinking it was a good idea to voice them.
“What do you think of the show so far?” I asked.
Her grin brightened. “It’s so much fun. There’s so much to do, and the live demos, and I get to go so many places with this.” She held up her badge withMEDIAstamped down the side. “DM has this game coming—you don’t want to hear about that, sorry.” She ducked her head.
“Don’t stop. I’m enjoying the play-by-play.” I meant it. It was unlikely I’d want to hear it from most people, but she said it all with so much genuine enthusiasm that I was willing to listen to her tell me about the whole show, a minute at a time.
She shook her head. “If I tell you everything, you won’t have a reason to tune in and watch my recap on my channel later.”
“I promise you I will.” To watch her. Was I smitten? Possibly. Already? I didn’t know what this was or what was going on in my head. I did know it seemed like a bad idea to fight it.
“Are you okay?” Her question came out of nowhere.
I patted myself, and made a show of looking around. “I think so? Why?”
