Page 60 of Bound Lies
“You’re having dinner with me once you’re finished.”
“Fine. But if you’re anything like you were last time, I’m bailing halfway through.”
Kieran holds up his hands. “I’m a changed man.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
I’m sitting crossed-legged on the bed, surrounded by flashcards, while Kieran is sprawled sideways across the armchair, with one arm slung behind his head and the other flipping through my textbook.
He’s annoyingly relaxed whereas I feel like a live grenade that may explode at any moment.
I might be in Vegas in a honeymoon suite, but my final exam is in three days, and I can’t afford to fail.
“Supply and demand curves,” he announces.
“Hit me.”
“Let’s test this in real time. Demand for your attention seems sky-high, but your supply is pretty limited.”
I don’t even bother looking up from my notes.
“That’s because the supplier’s dealing with a negative externality.”
He snorts. “That was savage.”
I lob a flashcard at his head, and he catches it with one hand as a hint of a smile tugs at his lips.
“Let’s try another, then. You’ve got two hours before dinner, and you can either study with me, or drink your body weight in minibar rosé and take a nap. What’s the opportunity cost?”
“My sanity. Which, thanks to you, I’m rapidly losing.”
He laughs, and a shiver runs down my spine at the deep, rumbling sound.
“That’s not how utility works, princess.”
“And that’s not how fake husbands talk to their fake wives.”
“Touché.”
I quickly glance back at my notes. “Game theory. Let’s do that next.”
“Ah, the prisoner’s dilemma. That seems perfect for us. So, wife, do you rat me out or do you stay loyal?”
“Flip,” I reply without hesitation. “In a heartbeat.”
He laughs again, and this time, I can’t hide my smile.
“Good to know where we stand.”
“Don’t take it personally. It’s just…strategic self-interest.”
“How about elasticity of demand?”
“Depends on the product. Take you, for example—”
“Are you objectifying me?”
“For the sake of the metaphor, yes. So, I would consider you an inelastic good. No matter how much of a pain in the ass you are, people still put up with you.”
