Page 5 of All In

“I would never.”

“And, if he comes anywhere near you, find the nearest hot guy and kiss him.”

“Um … how is assaulting a stranger the solution to this problem?”

“Well, you can ask first if you want. But guys like Eric always back down faster when they think you’re taken. So you kiss a hot stranger and get him to pretend to be with you until Eric scampers back to his hotel room to question all of his life’s choices.”

I snort with laughter at the image, feeling better already. “I don’t think it will come to that.”

“Just promise you’ll keep your pepper spray at hand and your eyes open for any hot guys to fake date.”

“I promise.”

“Do you know what creeper is wearing?”

“No. He’s been annoyingly coy about it. In truth, I’m hoping our paths don’t actually cross.”

“I am hoping that as well,” Clover says.

I rearrange a few items in the suitcase, then again lean my weight onto it. This time, the zipper miraculously closes.

“Ah-ha.”

A beat.

Then the zipper on the opposite side gives way entirely. The clicking of the zipper teeth is like sandpaper against my skin as the seam splits.

“Well, damn.”

Clover laughs. The real kind, the kind that scrunches her whole face and brings tears to her eyes. “Oh, my God.”

“I hate everything.”

“No, you don’t,” she wheezes.

“Stupid suitcase.”

“Juniper, I’m pretty sure you’ve had that one since the summer Granny made us spend on that geriatric cruise ship.”

I glare at the luggage. My sister isn’t wrong.

I look around my room. At the silk catching the light. At the carefully labeled prop cases. At the convention schedule I printed out and color-coded and laminated, because I have a system.

“I suppose in all my preparation, I neglected the fact that I clearly need new luggage.” I blow out another breath.

“Well, the good thing is, you always pack early. So you have time to re-evaluate your uh… system.”

“You’re right. I’m just so excited,” I say. For the most part, I love everything about these conventions.

Clover’s smile softens into something quieter. “I know.”

“I got into the cosplay showcase.” I’ve said this before. I’ll probably say it several more times before tomorrow morning. I don’t care.

“I know.”

“The Tolkien cast reunion panel is Saturday.” My voice does an embarrassing thing on the word Saturday. A small, involuntary lift.

“I know.” Her mouth curves.