Dodging tree branches, I scramble to keep up with him.

“Don’t you think it’s important for me to know?” I ask. “If there’s romantic history between you two and things get weird, it could tank the entire heist.”

His spine goes rigid, but he allows me to catch up to him as the path widens.

“I’m only going to tell you this once,” he says. “And then I don’t want to hear about this topic again.”

“Fine.” I shrug, and we stand, facing off.

His eyes are stone, without a hint of their usual mirth. “There is nothing, and never was anything, romantic going on between Faye and me. We’re partners and friends. That’s it. Besides, it’s against Keystone Code for partners to hook up,” he says, his jaw taut. “There’s too much at stake to let emotions get in the way of a job.”

“So that’s why you picked me instead of Chloe? You were avoiding temptation?”

He steps closer to me, his face softening, and tucks my hair behind my ear, sending hot chills down my neck. “Don’t sell yourself short, Ellie.” Leaning down, he whispers in my ear, “I picked you in spite of how beautiful I’ve always thought you are. I picked you because you’re the best.”

His breath tickles my ear, and my heart skips a beat, but I refuse to let him play me. “I told you I’m not falling for any of this,” I say, ducking away from him and waving my hand in front of his face.

“And I told you I’m not trying to get to you.” He sighs. “I was being honest, but never mind. You clearly will only believe what you want to believe. Did I answer your question? Can we move on now?” He’s restored to his normal, cocky self.

I swallow hard but thrust my chin forward. “Yes.”

“Thank you.” Turning, he heads back down the path. “You were a Maker. Do you know anything about building a Network following?”

Relief rushes through me at the thought that I might actually be able to help with something. “A little… We can buy followers, and I’m sure Stewart can hack the Network, so I can change the dates on whatever content I upload…”

“Good. You’re in charge of building our backstories, then. I’ll take care of currency accounts and retina scans. We’ll need pictures of Beau and Betsy for the facial recognition cameras, so figure out what she looks like. How long will your makeover take?”

“I don’t know. A couple days?” I’ll ask Sophia to help.

“Tomorrow it is,” he says like he didn’t hear me. The path forks in front of us, and we stop at the crossroads. “And may I suggest extensions? Chloe says long hair is everything on the Skywalks.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I grit my teeth.