*

KN

*

expect Finn's best fri

ainted her as s

th

ddle of the sex shop, casually discussing electrocution and

. I can't

pants are si

e heavy against t

and glasses? They remind me of the dominatrixes in my club. All she

d, a device used to deliver elect

s this?" she ask

hat s

o cause, I don't know... electrocution? Just e

hoke fight

safe," the sales rep says. "They're desi

ting the wand bac

bummer,"

p with the most deadpan e

e's nothing more d

t it," she stammers, "everything is potentially life-threaten

answer

e she's about to call security or faint. I step

mall of Sloane's back. I feel her stiffen. "She g

rep all bu

It probably has something to do w

to catch her scent, "if you really want Del

ous. They'll track

But if you do it

have a c

y head. "

like a fake

s I'm a

s peeking from my s

huc

going to

"I'll let you know as so

very much a

ves, casually grabbing a pair of handcuff

ne followin

is," she says. "It's as if you

y line

. "You sel

g to face her, bracing for her reaction. Most people either get un

ares at me,

be loaded,

ect that at

what,

ldn't

f you're loaded means you actually are. Poor

hat r

re definit

, Sloane. What

nt. Most people get all weird when I mention my line of work, my family included. But s

m asking what's been on my mind for a while.

ce goe

N

eep togeth

ll

ig

ready to

the counter, asking for

ing, Sloane cr

ith your friend marrying y

," I say. "Delilah's a gold d

Cla

not like his choices, but a

end if you can't figh

he enemy. You won't win a

me. "I can d

myself. Her naivety is b

ying with Finn?" I ask. "W

y stiffens. I'

op. Shouldn

just somethi

re and innocent that makes you want

say, eyes fixed on her. "Whether they're good or bad. Whether it makes

s are b

ry good friend,

tell myself

use you'r

onths? Are you seeing someone right now? Or does your entire life revolve around Fin

en with somet

, I think she's

most wish

her feet, her eyes burni

urning on her heel and s

t the counter, wat

ts. And the way her short hair bounces over her shoulders

fec

keeping myself from provoking

hard time keeping my ey

s tr

e I want to drag i

~

the window through

ed. Jaw ti

me. Not a single glance in my direction, not even when I

nd of miss the t

y parents' house,

, with so many questions written on her face. Bu

of the car, and pulls

p you with

ands. Thank y

ka

alking beside her as she m

and when she walks in, her ey

know about your parents?" she

know exactly what she means.

from old money

ur best friend.

se stretching up to the second floor. I know what's on her mind.

Sloane," I say, amused.

t argue. S

your parent

. They should be ba

s. "So we have the

xclude the employe

me a look. "Please le

y chest mockingly.

llway before stopping in front of Finn's room. I d

I announce. "You

en we

lling away from eac

been

complete

barely reacts. She just sm

of knockin

ne. Her face has

are you, Fin