“Avery turned and smiled. “There’s a huge party tonight, and you’re invited. We’re celebrating New Year’s in style.”I looked down at my sling. “I don’t know. Navy-blue nylon isn’t exactly a trend.”

“I hope you’re not contemplating retaliation against Mr. Figueroa.”She smiled again. “Don’t need to. Karma will take care of him.”“As long as Karma isn’t a hit man from New Delhi, we’re good.”

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with telling the truth. I know it isn’t fashionable.”

“I don’t belong to a political party, because I don’t feel invited.”

“I shook my head. “I don’t think so. This isn’t a good idea. This isn’t right.”“There’s all kinds of right,” he murmured. “On the spectrum, we’re still in the safe zone.” ...“Definitely right. Usually right,” Patch continued. “Mostly right. Maybe right.”

“So it’s your death suit.” “Correct. Don’t you have a death outfit?”“Yeah,” I said. “It’s a dress I bought for my fifteenth birthday party. But I don’t wear it on dates.”His eyes lit up. “We’re on a date?” he asked.I looked down, feeling bashful. “Don’t push it.”