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" I shouldn't have lost my temper that way. It just pricks his pride, makes him dig in his heels." " So why did you?" I asked, genuinely curious. It was rare for Nikolai's emotions to get the best of him. " I don't know," he said, shredding the leaf. " You got angry. I got angry. The room was too damn hot." " I don't think that's it." " Indigestion?" he offered." It's because you actually care about what happens to this country," I said. " The throne is just a prize to Vasily, something he wants to squabble over like a favorite toy, You're not like that. You'll make a good king." Nikolai froze. " I…" For once, words seemed to have deserted him. Then a crooked, embarrassed smile crept across his face. It was a far cry from his usual self-assured grin. " Thank you," he said.I sighed as we resumed our pace. " You're going to be insufferable now, aren't you?" Nikolai laughed. " I'm already insufferable. "
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" He stood and looked at me for a moment, taking in my outfit. " You look hot." " What? Me?" I stammered, completely flummoxed." Yeah," he said, still looking at me." Oh. Um, thank you. I mean, not that you don’t, but I’m not sure that you should—I mean …" " Oh, no," Roger said quickly, and I could see that he was blushing again. " No. I mean—I meant what you’re wearing. Are you going to be too warm? "
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" Do you see that man in the black Porsche?" I asked the women.They squinted out at Ranger. " Yes," they said." Your partner." " He's homeless. He's looking for a place to stay and he might be interested in renting Singh's room." Mrs.Apusenja's eyes widened. " We could use the income." She looked at Nonnie and then back at Ranger. " Is he married?" " Nope. He's single. He's a real catch." Connie did something between a gasp and a snort and buried her head back behind the computer. " Thank you for everything." Mrs.Apusenja said. " I suppose you are not such a bad slut. I will go talk to your partner.:" Omigod," Connie said, when the door closed behind the Apusenja's. " Ranger's going to kill you." The Apusenjas stood beside the Porsche, talkig to Ranger for a few long minutes, giving him the big sales pitch. The pitch wound down, Ranger responded, and Mrs. Apusenja looked disappointed. The two women crossed the road and got into the burgundy Escort and quickly drove away. Ranger turned his head in my direction and our eyes met. His expression was still bemused, but this time it was the sort of bemused expression a kid has when he's pulling the wings off a fly." Uh-Oh," Connie said. I whipped around and faced Connie. " Quick, give me an FTA. You're backed up, right? For God's sake, give me something fast. I need a reason to stand here until he calms down!" Connie shoved a pile of folders at me. " Pick one. Any one! Oh shit, he's getting out of his car." ....He leaned into me and his lips brushed the shell of my ear. " Feeling playful?" " I don't know what you're talking about." " Watch your back babe. I will get even." -Ranger and Stephanie "
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" The girl says " Oh uh-uh, wait a minute! Wait a minute! Just because I'm dressed this way does not make me a whore!" Which is true, Gentlemen, that is true. Just because they dress a certain way doesn't mean they are a certain way. Don't even forget it. But ladies, you must understand that is fucking confusing. It just is. Now that would be like me, Dave Chappelle, the comedian, walking down the street in a cop uniform. Somebody might run up on me saying, " Oh, thank God. Officer, help us! Come on. They're over here. Help us!" " Oh-hoh! Just because I'm dressed this way does not make me a police officer!" See what I mean? All right, ladies, fine. You are not a whore. But you are wearing a whore's uniform. "