Even Odds by Elia Winters Page B

tried to keep her tone casual. “What about you? Make any friends yet?”
    Matthew raised one shoulder in a partial shrug. “I got an invitation to a club tonight from a hot guy. Maybe we can ‘make friends’ like you and your boy toy did last night.”
    â€œHe’s not my boy toy.” Isabel looked around the booth. “How have sales been?”
    â€œPretty good,” said a voice over her right shoulder, making her jump. Lloyd had come over from the other side of the booth. Isabel turned and took a step back, giving herself some space from him. He picked up the list of names from its clipboard. “We’ve got about a hundred email addresses to input, and we’ve sold a dozen or so copies of Squish. I guess people really like your little game.”
    â€œI’m glad.” Isabel tried not to fixate on the condescension in his voice when he said “little game.” He probably didn’t even recognize his own tone.
    â€œI saw your point total this morning. Guess you’re putting in overtime for this scavenger hunt.” Lloyd leaned against the booth divider and crossed his arms, smirking. “I’m surprised you were able to open up the booth this morning after getting so little sleep.”
    Isabel’s stomach twisted, an anxious knot balling up in her gut. How to respond? Brush it off with a laugh? Deny everything? No, she didn’t want to do that. She was working on being more comfortable in her own skin. She flashed him a broad, unapologetic smile. “You don’t need the details, but I play to win, Lloyd. How was your night? I heard you were pushing pretty hard yourself last night. That first-class upgrade must mean a lot to you.”
    Matthew laughed, but Lloyd only tipped his head to the side and shrugged. “All right, all right. If that’s how you want to play it. One night’s easy, though. But there’s a lot on the list, and I’ve got to say, I just don’t think you’re up for it.” He dug the paper out of his back pocket and scanned it. He’d been checking items off. “According to Matthew’s totals, I’m right on your tail. You’ve had a good first day, but I think you can kiss your lead goodbye.” He rested a hand on her shoulder in mock comfort. “Don’t take it too hard, though. We’re all proud of you for getting this far.”
    Isabel stepped out from under his hand and rolled her eyes.
    Lloyd held up both hands in surrender, the sheet with its mocking checkmarks facing her. “Easy, killer. Just trying to lend some support.”
    â€œLeave her alone, Lloyd.” Matthew steered Isabel away from him with a hand on her elbow, probably reading the anger in her body language. “You’re the marketing guy. Go market to that crowd that’s coming this way.”
    The crowd, fortunately, was made up of scantily dressed cosplayers, and Lloyd swooped in with his iPad and broad smile before either of them could ask him twice.
    â€œYou know this is all just fun, right?” Matthew’s brow creased as he looked down into Isabel’s eyes. “This scavenger hunt. It’s not a big deal. The plane ride isn’t even three hours.”
    â€œIt’s not that.” She struggled to articulate what she was feeling, finally settling on, “He pisses me off.”
    Matthew laughed, looking over Isabel’s shoulder at Lloyd smooth-talking the cosplay girls. “Nah, he’s harmless. Don’t let him get to you.”
    Isabel tried to see Lloyd as Matthew did, like another bro who said some douche-bag things but didn’t mean any harm. She couldn’t quite manage it.
    â€œI’m going to try out some of the indie games.” She gestured over her shoulder at the west side of the convention center. “You want to get dinner tonight before you go clubbing for hot guys?”
    Matthew wrinkled his nose. “Don’t say