Page 125 of Such Sharp Teeth

I’m owed an explanation. I’m not going to let him ignore me. Avoid confrontation, avoid accountability. I’m going to maintain my composure. I’m going to resolve this calmly and maturely and then move on with my life as a charismatic lady/terrifying beast.

I drift into the kitchen to watch the door out to the deck. He’ll go out for a smoke at some point.

I sniff out some other smokers. I chat them up. I catch Ian in my peripheral vision opening the sliders and striding outside.

“You fellas wouldn’t happen to have a cigarette for me, would you?”

They don’t just give me one and let me go. They decide to all go out with me. It’s not ideal, but I can make it work.

“Aren’t you cold?” one of them asks when we step out onto the deck.

“You want my coat?” another asks. “I could go get it.”

“Such gents,” I say. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”

One of them offers me their lighter, but I don’t take it. I look over at Ian. His back is turned.

“Excuse me. I’m going to say hi to my friend,” I tell them.

They grunt as I slip away toward the back of the deck.

“Hey,” I say, nudging his arm with mine. “Got a light?”

“Aurora Morris,” he says like he’s about to serve me papers.

“Thought you might be here tonight,” I tell him. I’m looking at him, but he’s staring out at the yard.

“You knew I’d be here,” he says, setting his Zippo down on the banister for me. I use it.

“Thanks,” I say, returning the lighter to the same spot. I take a drag. You know what? Composure is overrated. “So were you just never going to tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“About Mia?”

“What?” He’s finally looking at me, and now I wish he weren’t.

“Did you think I’d never find out? You are aware she and I are friends, right?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Ah, interesting. Straight-up denial. I sort of figured you’d fess up, but you’re going the doubling-down route. Interesting choice.”

He leans his head back and exhales, then puts his cigarette out. “I can’t do this anymore.”

“Do what?”

“You don’t actually want me. You blow me off. You hook up with other people behind my back. Now you’re talking about Mia. What about Mia?”

“You went out with her.”

“I took her for a drink after her father’s funeral. She was alone. I felt bad. I have zero interest in Mia Russo.”

Gotta say, the greater context of the drink would have been helpful to know sooner.

“She said you went for drinks. Said you kept texting her.”

“To see how she was doing. She’d just lost her dad. Nothing happened, Rory. The night I took her was the same night I saw you.”