Exposed Read Free Page A

strolled down Houston Street arm in arm, each slurping the dregs of an overpriced Starbucks espresso drink. Gaia gave a large gulp as she tossed her empty venti cup into the closest street trash can. “I do love a sugar rush,” she asserted, qualifying the statement with a shy giggle.
    Normal Circumstances “That much is obvious,” Skyler said affectionately, finishing up his drink and tossing it as well. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
    Gaia beamed. Skyler had been the perfect date all afternoon—too perfect. He had been smooth as satin no matter how many times she had tuned out while he was talking or interrupted him. He had agreed to whatever whim had struck her fancy. He hadn’t complained when she crawled over him
again
during the movie under the premise of taking her fourth and final bathroom break.
    No doubt about it, something was definitely up with Skyler.
    Despite the fact that most of his plans involved having her at his side at all times, Gaia was more certain than ever that his goals weren’t romantic. If Skyler’d had designs on her, he had also passed up some totally primo opportunities to put the moves on her. It had to be something worse than that, something more nefarious. And now that Gaia was certain something was up, she was finding herself eager—even excited—to get to the bottom of it.
    Skyler, man, you underestimate me
, she thought.
You have no idea who you’re dealing with
.
    Since her mom had been killed five years ago, Gaia had been attacked, chased, and confronted by some of the world’s most dangerous criminal masterminds—several of whom she even considered family. And here she was, still, for better or for worse. She’d be damned if she’d let some rich prep school snob be her undoing.
    She sidled up closer to him and sighed comfortably.
You’re not even going to know what hit you
, she decided.
    Gaia stumbled suddenly, hardly knowing what had hit
her
. Gazing up at Skyler, she’d stomped directly into a pedestrian walking toward them. She looked up, and her spirits instantly sagged. Standing in front of her, looking pressed and polished as always, was Megan. Megan had been one of the toptier Friends of Heather back when Heather Gannis had ruled the Village School. But Heather had gone blind
(Just more fallout from my pathetically complicated life
, Gaia thought miserably), and Megan had ascended to the presidency of the social hierarchy.
    Megan and her hen party couldn’t seem to decide how they felt about Gaia. For the most part, they weren’t impressed, but they were clearly somewhat taken by Gaia’s admittedly inexplicable ability to land some very sought-after boyfriends.
Never mind that my relationships have a life span shorter thanthat of an ice-cream cone in August
, she thought glumly. And when Gaia and Liz had begun to hang out, the FOHs had taken a more acute interest in Gaia. But their interest tended to wax and wane depending on the circumstances of their own lives at any given moment, and at the present it seemed like they were dead set on seeing her falter. Which, hey—Gaia didn’t think they’d have to wait long. That didn’t mean she needed to put up with Megan and her bull, though.
    Except that she did. For Skyler’s sake. Skyler needed to think that Gaia was still caught fast in Megan’s thrall, desperately seeking approval.
Ick
, Gaia thought, pasting an insecure grin on her face.
    â€œHi, Meegs,” she said brightly. “Shopping?”
    Megan shot Gaia a look that suggested she’d just taken a whiff of raw sewage. “No,” she said dryly, “the bags are merely an illusion created by your mind’s eye. Out with boyfriend number two, are we?” she asked snidely, indicating Skyler with a jerk of her head.
    That was the other fun thing about the FOHs these days. They had the idea that Gaia was cheating on Jake.
    Of course, Gaia