Page 23 of Calculated Risk
"I'm not everyone else." He pulls me closer. "And you're not too much of anything. You're exactly right. For me. For this. For everything."
"Promise?"
"I don't make promises I can't keep. But I can promise I'll try. Every day. To be what you need. Even when it's messy. Especially when it's messy."
"That's all I need. Someone who stays."
"Then I'm staying. For as long as you'll have me."
We fall asleep tangled together, and for the first time in weeks, I don't dream about destroyed art or sabotage or failure.
I dream about possibility. About a future that's chaotic and imperfect and absolutely perfect.
Chapter 9
Marcus
Friday morning brings two things:completion of Lilah's thesis show and a summons from my father.
"Marcus. My office. Noon."
Not a request. Never a request with Richard Chen.
Lilah notices my tension immediately. "What's wrong?"
"My father's on campus. He wants to meet."
"About?"
"Probably the fact that I haven't answered his calls in two weeks. Or that I declined the summer internship at Chen Technologies. Or that I've been photographed around campus with you." I try to keep my voice neutral. Fail.
"Does he know about me?"
"Legacy Council members talk. Their parents talk more." I pull her close. "It doesn't matter what he thinks. I'm not letting him ruin this."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"No. He'll be condescending and dismissive, and I won't be responsible for what I do if he disrespects you."
"Marcus—"
"I'll handle it. Finish the installation. I'll be back before the opening tonight."
The walk to the Legacy Council building feels like a march to execution. My father occupies Sebastian's old office, technically it's just a meeting space, but he's made it his temporary command center.
"Son." He doesn't stand. Doesn't smile. "Sit."
I remain standing. "I have somewhere to be."
"The art show. Yes, I'm aware." He studies me with the same analytical expression I see in my own mirror. "For the Rodriguez girl."
"Lilah. Her name is Lilah."
"I don't care what her name is. I care that you've been wasting time playing as an artist's assistant instead of preparing for your future."
"I am preparing for my future. Just not the one you planned."
"The internship?—"
