Page 7 of Secret (Chicago Underground 6)
“Well,” the salesman said. “Before we can get to the shoe-selection process, we need to get your stats.”
“I’m a size seven,” I said.
“Actually, this will be far more accurate.”
The salesman led us a few feet away to a machine in the corner. The large metal base had feet stickers where my feet should go, handles along the sides to hold on to, and a large monitor that took a variety of inputs about lifestyle, dietary choices, and workout habit. It looked like some sort of arcade dance game that had gotten drunk on wheatgrass. He patted the side.
“Take off your socks and shoes and hop on. Don’t be shy.”
“Yeah, I’m not doing that.”
The salesman blinked as if no one had ever refused it before, which I found hard to believe.
Major smiled. “Ready for me to handle it?”
“Yes, please.”
Within fifteen minutes, we were headed back to the hotel. I had already changed into my new clothes: size-seven cross-training sneakers, black yoga pants and matching top, and a black hoodie. I still had my money in the bottom of my shoe. Major had insisted on paying for the clothes, which I fought until he told me the money was Luke’s. So I let him do it but didn’t think too hard about what that meant. Luke wasn’t the type to think I owed him anything for the money. It was me who would feel beholden.
“You realize we’re matching,” I told Major.
He looked pained. “We’re not matching. I happen to be wearing black, as are you.”
“Yeah, but we’re walking together. Everyone thinks we’re a couple.”
“Well, we’re not,” he snapped. “You’re with Luke. You should act like it.”
That shut me up. We walked the rest of the way in silence.
In the elevator, he sighed. “I guess I went beyond Eeyore and straight to asshole.”
Pretty much. His words had bothered me more than I wanted to admit. The problem wasn’t whether I was with Luke or not. I had no idea what it meant to be a couple. I didn’t know how to act any differently if we were. The surface problems like Henri’s and Luke’s jobs were conveniently keeping us apart, but the truth was, even without them, we wouldn’t work. I wasn’t built for a relationship. I only knew how to be the other woman.
The elevator hovered to a stop. I shrugged, staring straight ahead and willing the doors to open.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I just don’t want to see Luke hurt.”
“So then keep him away from me.”
His eyebrows rose a little. “Is that really what you want?”
“That’s what you want. You and Rico and probably Jeff too. I’m not really a stuffed bear with cotton for brains. I know you guys don’t want me with him.”
“We’re just worried about him. He deserves to have this go right. A real shot at happiness.”
“Well, I can’t be his reward, okay? That’s too much pressure, and I’ll fuck it up anyway. I’m just a messed-up girl with nowhere else to go. So don’t put that on me, like I can save him or something.”
The elevator door opened, and Luke stood there.
“I was just coming down to check on you guys,” he said, his face blank. I couldn’t get a read on how much he’d heard, if anything.
Major stalked past him. “Operation buy shit for your girlfriend is a success.”
Luke turned back to me. “See, he got the girlfriend memo.”
“Is he always so cheery?” I asked sourly.
“Actually, yes,” Luke said, sounding thoughtful. “That last was downright playful. For him, anyway. I think you amused him.”
