Page 80 of CHOICE Lover
The awe in his voice is unmistakable. She hadn’t imagined it. Still, there was the ever-present Chryl. She clears her throat. “So you won’t recycle her?”
He frowns. “I’m afraid that would be murder at this point.”
“Well, it’s reassuring you see that as a problem, since you were giving me murder-y vibes when we met,” she says.
Chuckling and shaking his head, he says, “Tommy agreed to keep Chryl for a while until we can determine exactly what is going on with her.”
Her stomach swoops. He listened to her. She can hardly believe it. “Really?”
He bringsher hand to his mouth, turning it to place a devoted kiss on her wrist. “Really.”
It’s too good to be true. That doesn’t stop her from grinning like a madman. “Okay.”
He leans forward, and her pulse jumps. “I don’t want us to fight, Electra.”
“Me either,” she says.
“Good.” He cups her jaw, softly kissing her. Right as she’s about to lean into the addictive sensation—thereby throwing every thought she stewed on overnight out the window—he pulls back, giving her a lopsided grin. “You aren’t stupid. You’re intelligent, entertaining, humorous, sexy, rather irresistible, thoughtful, admirably strong . . .”
Tears well as he lists her qualities. When he finishes, she laughs. “Are those the traits you selected when you thought you were programming me?”
A broad grin breaks out on his face, making him impossibly handsome. Fuck Adonis, she’d pick him all day, every day. She’s about to launch herself into his lap so they can finish what they started last night when the front door opens to reveal Chryl, still in her cowgirl outfit, and Tommy, wearing a shimmery gunmetal jumpsuit.
“We’re here to get Chryl’s things,” Tommy says.
Electra shoots up and marches over to Chryl. “Did you get freckles?!” She’s not jealous—more shocked.
Chryl tilts her head this way and that, showing off the new spots sprinkled across her cheeks. “I think I wear them better, don’t you think, Daddy?”
“Yes,” Tommy answers, right as Res6 says, “No.”
Chryl beams as if they both said yes, eliciting a groan from Electra. “I posted a vlog about the procedure my new daddy”—she frowns at Res6—“was kind enough to arrange for me. It only took ten minutes,and he said I can get rid of them just as easily when they fall out of fashion.” She gives Electra a smug look.
“Chryl, no FrogBlog. We discussed this,” Res6 says, giving a firm look to Tommy.
Chryl stomps, glaring at Electra. “Why does Prototype get to have one and not me?”
“She doesn’t,” Res6 says.
Chryl opens her mouth to argue—oh God, did Chryl discover her username?—but Electra cuts her off. “I don’t see what’s wrong with Chryl having a blog. Everyone knows she’s a manupartner.” She clears her throat, feeling only slightly guilty for defending her own self-interest. “Like me.”
Chryl’s eyes narrow, and Electra can practically see her wheels turning—the learning Res6 was talking about. She braces as Chryl’s mouth opens. “Girl power?”
Electra beams. “Yes, us girls have to stick together.” She hopes she isn’t pouring it on too thick. She was terrible in drama class. “If it makes Chryl happy . . .” she says, hoping Res6 will get the hint.If a blog makes her happy, maybe she won’t turn evil.Because obviously that is the biggest danger, as per EVERY VILLAIN ORIGIN STORY EVER.
“Right.” Chryl turns to Res6. “Yes,Electrashould have one too if she wants one. No one knows she’s not a real manupartner.”
Electra’s stomach clenches right as a muscle in Res6’s jaw twitches. “Electra is a manupartner, just like you,” Res6 says. “Just a Prototype like we talked about.”
“You are very good at lying.” Chryl winks.
Res6 pinches the bridge of his nose. “Chryl, if the public had reason to believe that either of you are different . . .” He pauses, seeming to consider. “It would hurt CHOICElover, which would hurt me and Tommy. Do you understand?”
Chryl’s eyes widen. She nods and flings an arm around Tommy’s neck. “I would never do anything to hurt my new daddy.” Then she mimes zipping her lips.
“I’m with the ladies. If there’s a problem, it’ll be easy to mitigate. Tell the public they’re part of an experiment for a new product we are testing.” Tommy says as Chryl bounces against him. He shifts, clearly uncomfortable with her exuberant attentions.
Res6 doesn’t argue. “Fine. I’m only agreeing because Chryl is already exposed.”
