85

I’m stunned. I’m in shock. My brain’s stopped working. Error 404: Cannot Process This Shit.
“I’m fine,” I reply with a weak smile.
He’s leaving for good. You’ll never see him again, a voice inside me wails.
That week he went to Vegas, he must have been handing over his duties, preparing for his departure. I thought it was because he’d moved on. I thought he’d gone back to business as usual, completely giving up on us after a saucepan of water was dunked over him outside Naughty Nonsense.
I wish I could remember his words during the speech. I was just too frozen in the moment to think straight.
When I get to my desk, I find a delivery waiting for me. I open it up to reveal a glossy graphic novel, and my pulse quickens. What the hell?
“You all right, Luce?” Matty asks.
I must look alarmed, clutching the comic with my mouth hanging open. “Yeah, fine. Just grabbing a coffee,” I mumble.
I hurry down the aisle, trying not to draw attention.
Quinn & Wolfe have little “relaxation nooks” on each floor filled with beanbags, plants, and a coffee machine-although I’ve never seen anyone actually sit in a beanbag chair.
I enter the coffee area, finding it deserted.
I stare down at the graphic novel in my hands, my pulse thundering in my ears. The glossy pages shine under the flickering fluorescent lights of the office’s relaxation nook. This is a custom story-Miss Nova and Daredevil don’t exist together in comics.
I sink into a plush beanbag chair, hardly aware of the world around me as I turn to the first page.
The pages leap out, bold blues and reds and the occasional flash of flesh.
Nora Allcott, bug-eyed in jeans and a checkered shirt, gazes at the stars through a telescope. She looks just like me, but with superpowers and way better boobs.
A cosmic storm strikes, transforming her into Miss Nova, defender of the galaxy.
I keep reading. A two-page spread fills my vision with bursting stars-supernovas blast from Nova’s hands as she manipulates gravity.
I turn the page with trembling fingers to see the brooding, tortured figure of the “Golden Age Daredevil”, in his blue and red suit, lurking in the shadows of a dark city. Ripped, obviously.
JP’s eyes-God, his eyes-pin me with that intense stare. Eyes that seem to follow me as I turn the page.
He tries to be a hero, but a demonic rage threatens to consume him, leaving only violence and instability in its wake.
And Miss Nova comes to rescue him from himself. Daredevil slowly falls in love with Miss Nova, who brings light into his dark world. He buys a telescope to share her passion for stars.
As I continue reading, a gasp escapes my lips. There before me is an image of myself and JP, recreated in stunning comic book art. JP stands behind me, his hand on my shoulder as I peer into a telescope under a sparkling night sky. It looks so real. Is this from a photo?
The pages slip through my fingers faster now, showing Daredevil falling for the cosmic heroine Miss Nova. Fantasy combined with our love story. Scenes of our passion play out on the pages-kissing in the office, strolling in the park, at his apartment. At my apartment… Did that happen? The details are true to life but with quirky cosmo editions. The casino in Vegas has stars in the ceiling. We are on a floating ship flying across Bear Mountain, looking down at it.
Christ alive, he’s even penned an explicit scene. Nova and Devil going at it. Rutting on a spaceship above the city.
A speech bubble appears on the next page between them: “My dearest Nova, you are the center of my universe. Without your light, I am lost in darkness.”
But his rage returns.
The smooth pages slip through my fingers faster now. Sensing Daredevil’s demons, Miss Nova pulls away, the pain evident in her blue eyes. In desperation, he commits a vague crime that pushes her further away. There’s blood all over the Q&W building.
Tortured by losing her, Daredevil tries to make amends. I read the speech bubble. “My Miss Nova, you are my superpower-you brought the galaxy into my life. Without you, I have no strength.”
I turn the page. As they kiss in the final panel, the speech bubble reads, “With you by my side, I can conquer any demon.”
The End.
I close the graphic novel, pulse still pounding.
JP
Stepping into the elevator, the mirror-finished steel doors closing feels like the end of a chapter.
“Wait,” a female voice echoes, and a stiletto wedges in the gap, halting the closure.
Adrenaline fires inside me as I look up. “Lucy.”
Her gaze locks on mine, blue eyes burning with purpose. She jams the button on the panel, shutting us in together.
“Remember the elevator ride we shared my first day back at work?” Her words come out rushed and breathless. “It felt like that ride lasted forever. I hope this one will too. There are some things I need to say to you.”
I watch the nervous flutter of her hands. The urge to reach out and touch her is overwhelming, but I keep my fists clenched and stay still.
Someone approaches outside, but she slams the button again, shutting them out. Shutting us in.
My voice comes out low and gravelly. “Were you there? Did you hear my announcement?”
She nods slowly, eyes wide. “I heard every word. I can’t believe it’s true. You’re really stepping down?”
“Needed to make a statement.” I advance a step closer, the distance between us shrinking. “Actions over words.”
“That you did.” Her breath hitches, and she swallows audibly. “You created a graphic novel for me?”
A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. “I had some help with the technical stuff. But the emotions and detail-all me. Could’ve worked on the plot a bit more. I now have a newfound respect for the intricacies of graphic design.” I let out a chuckle.
“Nova’s Light?” She smiles. “Who’d dream of coupling Miss Nova with Daredevil?”
“You know what they say about opposites.” I meet her gaze directly. “Did you like it?”
“It’s incredible. Beyond cool. It’s… it’s outstanding. And really sexy.”
“I’m glad you approve.” I pause, my eyes fixed on hers. “I wanted you to have a reminder of me-even if you didn’t want me.”
She takes a tentative step closer, close enough to touch. “In case I forget again?”
“If that were to happen… I don’t think my heart could bear the brunt.”
“Is that why you went back to Vegas? To hand over your responsibilities?” She looks at me with a glimmer of weariness.
“Yes. That’s the only reason.”
She hesitates, her gaze searching mine.
“Is that all you wanted to say to me, Lucy?” I murmur.
“No. I want to meet you halfway too,” she says. “I’m ready to take that leap of faith.”
Hope flares within me. “Yeah? You sure?”