Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Fay didn't tell Sylvia where they were having dinner-she just said she wanted to surprise everyone.

Sylvia had already resigned herself to spending a small fortune that night, so she didn't ask any more questions.

Right before clocking out, she got a text from Lester.

"Want me to swing by and pick you up later?"

"No need, thanks to your generosity I just got a fat bonus-taking the team out for dinner tonight."

"So you're not gonna treat your favorite sponsor to dinner? That's just not right."

"I'm off tomorrow. I'll cook for you instead."

Sylvia typed the reply in a flash and hit send without a second thought.

Ever since she'd taken Edwin's advice, she'd become comfortable letting Lester pursue her. They weren't officially together, of course, but there was definitely an unspoken understanding between them.

Just like any regular couple, they'd chat, grab the occasional bite together, talk some more.

It was simple, ordinary-and Sylvia found it strangely comforting.

On her screen, the "Lester is typing..." bubble lingered for ages.

Finally, his one-word reply popped up:

"Deal."

but grin, picturing Lester hunched over his desk, agonizing over every word. He could be so decisive at

were interrupted by Fay's

"Sylvia! Let's get going."

workday was over. She stood and grabbed her

is it? I'll grab an

snow-white coat, smirking. “No need.

eyed her suspiciously, but most of

off. She could

of weird turns, then gunned it down a deserted

stomach drop as the.

el.n?

Car shot

forward, and she instinctively

clutched her seatbelt. s

pushed her sunglasses up,

in a

this. Aren't you the one who'll go after anything you

herself, then glanced sideways at Fay.

just laughed and

second later, she slammed on the

hit the dashboard, only saved by her white-knuckle grip on the

out laughing. "You look kinda cute

up with a good excuse. You're speeding, stopped in the middle of

barely finished before a police motorbike pulled up