AT THE SAME TIME
ISABELLA
Silence fell like a dropped plate. Not shattered, just loudly, painfully present. Aiden was the first to recover, because of course he was, steady counterpart, my ass.
"So." He said, rubbing his temple. "Hypothetically. If a glowing screen just told me I am a male lead in a romance novel-" He gestured vaguely between Xavier and me. "-what exactly am I supposed to do with that information?"
Xavier crossed his arms, unimpressed.
"You withdraw." He said smoothly. "Obviously."
"See, that feels like a suggestion made entirely for your benefit."Aiden blinked.
"Correct."Xavier said.
Wanessa clapped her hands once, sharp and delighted.
"Oh, I love this arc already."She grinned.
"Please, one at a time. I just found out my life has patch notes."I pinched the bridge of my nose.
The air shimmered again, I froze.
"No. No no no. We are not doing this again."I refused.
