circus by the time I a

t, phone in hand, live-

ide-to-be, everyone!" he boo

. I forced a smile.

ing the devoted best friend, her eyes glinti

ushed, loud enough for the micro

t words from before. Th

knew her lines, and t

my purse. A text fr

You sure abou

I was back. My voice had been shaking, a torrent of word

error. He was a tech CEO, logical, but fiercely protective

d told him. "

a single wor

. The terror of the morning ha

were. I knew wh

w to burn their whole

he suitcase of "cash" was already there, a gaudy centerpi

osal, his voice dripping with

life," he began, s

His followers spammed hea

zirconia flashed under the li

you ma

matic monster, this con arti

ith excitement. It settl

from the side, shot me a sharp, urging look. "