“Now see, he’s not my type either,” Darcy said, grinning. “Not now, anyway. Can’t cross the streams on that one, you know what I mean? There’s men, and then there’s men your friends have dated, and the latter category is simply off limits.” She pulled one finger away from her pizza long enough to point it at him. “Listen, personality and a sense of humor can take a guy far,” Darcy said. “Though admittedly I didn’t hear much of what Thor was saying at first over his biceps. You’re right.”

At his question as to when Jane was going to start paying her, Darcy lifted her free hand in a ‘hallelujah’ motion and chewed faster on the bite of pizza she’d taken just before he spoke, swallowing thickly before she replied. “Right?! Oh my God,” she said with a shake of her head. “I mean, don’t get me wrong – I love Jane and the travel and adventures and all that shit are sweet, but I also love having some money in the ass pocket of my jeans, if you know what I mean.” She sighed and shook her head slightly. “I mean, I’m cool now here at the hotel. I’m having a blast. But if I ever get sent back into the real world? Ho-lee shit, my student loans are going to eat me alive.”

That he was in New York meant that she’d been right in her assessment, and her smile reappeared, as she did like that she’d gotten that one right. “I’ve seen other people from New York here, too,” she said. “Though I guess you probably already know about them. Are you guys all pen pals and stuff, or do you generally wait for the shit to hit the fan before you start hanging out again?”