Page 85 of Troublemaker: The Big Picture Edition

“Absolutely. You know I’ve been dying to work with you on something. We’ll keep developing the script until then.”

“Great. I’m in. I’m glad you finally found a good love story,” he says, in that annoying knowing way that he has. Fucking intuitive actors.

I pull him into a hug. “You let me know if you need anything, okay? Anything at all.”

“I’d love to sleep eight hours a night for the rest of my life—that’d be great, thanks.”

“I’ll put in a few calls. See what I can do.”

As soon as I’m in the car, Ryder’s whining about having to leave his friends so soon.

“I’m sorry, buddy, but I’m going back to Silver Lake to see Miss Stiles.” I look at him in the rearview mirror to watch his reaction. “It’s too far for me to go there and then come back to get you. So you can come with me.”

He looks so happy and has instantly forgotten that he was complaining a second ago. I know I’m making the right decision. “Does Miss Stiles know we’re going to go see her?”

“Not exactly. It’s going to be a surprise.”

“Are you and Miss Stiles still talking about the holiday show?” he asks, grinning.

“We’ve gotten to be friends.”

“I think that’s good!”

“I do too.”

“Plus, she likes monkeys! So she’ll be cool with me getting one.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Where are we going?!”

“To the library.”

Okay, so he isn’t very happy at the moment.

But he will be.

And so will I.

CHAPTER 32

EMILIA: Dude. I can’t believe you brought Ryder!

ALEX: If we’re at the point in our relationship where you can call me Dude, then we’re at the point in our relationship where Ryder can know that we’re hanging out. You’re adorable when you’re angry.

EMILIA: I’m not angry. And I’m not adorable. What did you tell him?

ALEX: That you and your dog are volunteering at the library. That we’re friends. That we’re all going to hang out today. Do you always wear short dresses with over the knee socks when you volunteer at the library, Miss Stiles?

EMILIA: It’s not that short. And only when I’m planning to let someone have easy access to what’s under the dress later.

EMILIA: OMG why do you always do this to me when there are kids around?!

ALEX: I’m just texting you, Miss Stiles. You’re the one dressing for easy access. And the kids are a lot more interested in their books and your dog than what you’re up to right now. Don’t ask me why. Those boots are HOT.

EMILIA: God. Why do you look even more handsome than the last time I saw you? That’s just mean.

EMILIA: Don’t come any closer!!! If I smell you, I will mount you. The library staff frowns upon public humping. Bunch of prudes.