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October 10 - November 4, 2025
When I push it aside, I discover a lemon, plump and juicy and a little pornographic.
Huh?
Honestly, he’s not my type. Too overworked. Too incapable of letting go. Too single-minded. Too much of a dickhead. And for the last three years of my life, I’ve been in love with him.
“She was the reason you stopped talking to me.”
“Because your brother is unreachable, and I’m a fucking adult, and you aren’t. It is my civic responsibility to make sure children aren’t being abducted, or some similar horseshit.”
That’s when it finally hits me. Conor Harkness is in my kitchen.
“Don’t,” he says. So sharp that my eyes let go of Antares to find his. “Don’t put yourself in the same category as Minami, or Avery, or Tamryn. You do not belong there.”
“Some people just like to see the world burn, Minami,”
“That you were in a relationship. And I was devastated. But I asked, if your boyfriend was ever foolish enough to let you go, that you let me know, because I’d come knock at your door. And I’m grateful that you did, love.”
“She’s not,” Conor says. “Mmm?” Another yawn. “Prettier.”
On the edge of the pool there is a clean, neatly folded towel.
“No. It’s always water this and water that, but when I try to drink the blood of my enemies—”
Nyota’s voice makes me jump. “You think she faked it?” she asks, suddenly next to me.
“Of course I fucking want you. You are stupidly beautiful, and too fucking smart for your own good, and I refuse to go there, Maya.”
“Why?” “Because you are twenty. And I’m not. That’s the end of it.”
A necklace. Three fantasy books. New Post-its and a fancy umbrella. Flowers. A set of plush towels. An Xbox. Sneakers that, the internet informs me, I could resell on eBay if I ever wanted the starting capital for a new life.
“No. It’s not what I want, because—I don’t care, Maya. It’s not my business who you date, fuck, hang out with. All I care about is your well-being, and I have already jeopardized it once.”
Minami nods. “I, on the other hand, am pregnant.”
Because one day, Conor Harkness decided that he wanted someone to know him. And he chose me.
“You okay?” I ask, cautious. “Yeah.” A deep inhale. “Yeah. I just wanted to listen to you exist.”
“Because if we end up in an accident, I’d rather die than survive you.”
“I’ll be teaching at an elementary school.” I swallow. “I got my certification, and…”
“Because. Because I…I want to try. Because it sounds rewarding and fun. Because the world needs teachers. Because I like kids. Because I love the idea of helping them get excited about something I’m excited about. Because I want to feel like every day has meaning.
“I have never wanted anything as desperately, as ungovernably, as persistently as I want you. Not a single goddamn thing. Not my dead mother back. Not revenge. Not the well-being of the people I love. Not professional success, not even my own happiness. Absolutely nothing has consumed me as mercilessly as you have.”
“Do you want me to leave?” “It would be best if—” “Not the question I—” “No, Maya. I never want you to be anywhere but with me.”
“Since the first day I met you, you have been the best thing in my life. And you weren’t even in it.”
“I would put a baby in you.”
“I love you, Maya. And no. It’s never going to pass.”
“I’m saying that I already know I’m in love with you, and that I have little interest in being apart from you. I don’t need you in small doses, because…I want it all.”
“I just don’t understand what it is that you—” “I want to get married.”
“Yeah.” A sigh. “I’d love to get married tomorrow. But you are turning twenty-four in three months, and as I have been repeating ad nauseam, I am thirty-eight. The age difference is not your fault, and you shouldn’t be rushed into important milestones just because of…”
His glare is contemptuous. “I may be senile, but you never realized that the app required a subscription. I signed up for it and put you on the plan. Basically, a joint account.”
“Oh, I am. I’d buy you a new car, if I wasn’t sure that Daddy’s already on it.”
