Page 25 of Love Under the Microscope
I yawn, and when Zelda also does seconds later, I smile.
“So you’re excited to hear my new plan?” she asks.
“Can’t say that to be honest.”
“Why the smile?”
“Because you yawned after I did. That’s a good sign.”
“What do you mean?”
“Psychopaths and narcissists do that less often than others. So, the odds are in my favor that you don’t have a personality disorder.”
“Ah, okay. I didn’t know that. I’ll keep a lookout for yawners in the future. Anyway, my plan…”
I consider putting my feet up on the coffee table, but that might be rude, and I’ll probably fall asleep if I do. “Go on.”
“Well, my plan is for me to attend the gala.”
I must be missing something. “The gala?”
She bounces on her seat like a kid, and if I weren’t so tired, I might be as excited as she is. “It’s a charity benefit. Nigel will be attending. He clearly still has some sort of thing for me. I mean, don’t they say that there’s a fine line between love and hate? So maybe that’s it. He’s doing things that suggest he hates me, but maybe he kind of loves me too.”
She lifts her thumb and forefinger, indicating a measurement, which is something I’ve seen her do before. “Where do I fit into this plan?”
“Nowhere, which is why I thought you’d like this one.”
I consider what she’s saying. “What’ll you do at the gala?”
“Dress up all fancy and make myself look beautiful. Then I’ll get close to Nigel and see if he’s in love with me—”
“No.” The word shoots out of my mouth.
She flinches. “No?”
“You’re not going to get close to some guy who has been abusive in the past, has no issue slashing tires, and might be out to destroy where you work.”
Her gaze narrows, and she tilts her head. “I understand your concerns, but security will be on-site, and the gala will be very public. I won’t be alone for him to do anything to me.”
That might be true, but I hate the idea of her facing this guy alone.
Think, Parker, think.
Galas aren’t my thing, yet… “I’ll go with you.”
Her nose crinkles. “To the gala?”
“Yes.” That way, she won’t face him without someone at her side. “We’ll go together.”
“I’m not sure that’ll work.” She sounds wary.
“Why not? We can pretend to be together and make Nigel jealous.” I want to get my own intel and not have to rely only on what Zelda tells me.
She stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have.
“Like a fake date?” she asks.
At least she hasn’t said no. “Not like, it would be one. It’ll work.”
