MarvelousCon & Tax Cons by Rachel Ford

Author:Rachel Ford [Ford, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B07NQLYTYM
Goodreads: 44020076
Published: 2019-04-18T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Georgiou’s was quite crowded when they arrived. Alfred grabbed a table in the back – one of the few still open – while Nancy ordered. It was his first opportunity away from her side, and he wasted no time relaying his newfound intel to Josh, along with Barret’s latest, in-costume profile picture.

“He’s dressed as Swell Dude. Great. There’s only a million other Swell Dudes at MarvelousCon.”

“But we know where he’s staying now, too.”

“Yeah. Still doesn’t help us track him during the day, though.”

That was a fair point. “I’ll keep my eyes open for him too.”

Josh didn’t say anything more, and Alfred put the phone away as he saw Nancy heading in his direction. “Food’ll be out in twenty minutes or so,” she said.

He nodded. “Alright, Commander, where are we headed after this?”

“Well, there’s a panel I want to get to at two, about Marvelous Comics. But I had left a block open for pretty much whatever: exhibits, tabletop gaming stations, whatever we felt like.”

“Oh. Well, what do you want to do?”

“Well, I have to head back to the exhibits.”

“Why?”

“I forgot something last night.”

“Oh.”

“You should probably check out the gaming stations.”

He frowned. “Gaming stations? Why not go with you?”

She grinned. “Because you can’t see what I buy. Not yet.”

His frown, though, deepened. “I don’t want to split up. How will I find you again, in these crowds?” That, of course, wasn’t his real concern. His real concern was that someone else – Randy Barret – would find her while he was stuck at a tabletop gaming station.

Nancy laughed, until she saw that his angst was real. “Babe, I’m just going to the exhibit hall. And we can always call, or text, if we’re having trouble finding each other.”

“I know…I just…” He fidgeted, his mind racing. He couldn’t tell her the truth – he’d already decided that was out – but he didn’t have a good reason either.

“Oh.” Her expression softened, and she took his hand. “The crowds?”

He blinked. “Umm…yeah?”

She smiled tenderly. “I forgot about that. Sorry, babe. Of course you can come with me. Just, no peaking. Promise?”

“Promise.”

Their meal arrived on schedule, and Nancy was quiet as she ate. She’d gotten through half her gyro when she set it down and gazed at him. “Alfred?”

“Yeah?” he said through half a mouthful.

“Are you doing okay?”

“What?”

“I didn’t…well, I didn’t realize this crowds thing was that big of a deal to you. I knew you didn’t like them, but I thought it was more a passing discomfort than…well, anything more serious.” Her brow was creased, and she seemed genuinely troubled. “Are you all right here?”

Alfred felt a pang. Of course he was all right. He didn’t care for crowds, but only because he didn’t in general care for people. They were noisome, annoying and usually in the way. Crowds, being composed of many people together, were just that much more distasteful. “Yeah,” he said. “I’m fine.”

“Because if you’re not…we don’t have to stay.” He began to protest, but she interrupted, “No, babe, I mean it.

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