I snorted. “That wasn’t my question, but it’s good to know, thanks.”

He looked at me and I suddenly found the stitching on my messenger bag really interesting. The traffic lights turned green and we rumbled around the corner. Dammit, I needed more time…

“Your question?” he prompted. “I mean, it’s no big deal. I get asked questions all the time. Like just today, I got asked why Sun-Beams May Be Extracted From Cucumbers, But The Process Is Tedious wasn’t included in all state libraries. Not completely random, but throw in the fact it was a guy literally wearing a tin foil hat who asked… And they look at me like I’m the one with a problem.”

I blinked at that and considered asking what the fuck because how was that, in anyone’s definition, not random, but the bus was pulling up at the kerb. “Well, damn. That was my question. Now I feel stupid.”

He gawped at me until he realised I was smiling. “Your question was about Sun-Beams May Be Extracted From Cucumbers, But The Process Is Tedious?”

“Yes. How uncanny that someone should think to ask it before me.”

“You are joking, right?”

“Yes.”

“Sarcasm is in the self-help section, by the way.”

“Self-help?”

“Yes, so you can pull your head out of your own arse.”

I barked out a laugh. “Are you always so funny?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. There’s a fine line between comedy and horror. It could go either way.”

The doors opened and I had to get up. “Sorry, this is my stop.”

“Oh, sure.” He swung his legs out so I could slip past. “Was the ‘are you always so funny’ question your actual question?”

I stopped in the aisle. “No.” I had two seconds to move or I’d be walking back to my place from wherever the next stop was. “It can wait till tomorrow.”

He looked suddenly horrified. “No, it can’t. Do you know what that kind of waiting will do to me? I’ll be like the critter in Ice Age who chases that damn acorn for four movies.”

I laughed, but I really did have to get off. I climbed off before the bus driver could shut me in, and when I looked up at the window where he was sitting, his face was priceless.

“Tomorrow,” I called out.

He narrowed his eyes, his mouth open. I didn’t have to hear what he said. I could read his lips just fine.

Motherfucker.

Chapter Five

Jordan