Seated side-by-side at a circular lunch table that they weren’t sharing with anyone else, Sush disclosed - in hushed tones - of Kenji’s “joke”, and Greg decided the wimpy eastern octopus was humorous enough to not get himself killed. This time.

Fear his cousin? Please. That softie’s rules were so much less rigid and so much more standard and boring than Greg’s own ever had been.

Sush promptly added, “I’m only telling you this to come clean. Don’t spread this around. For all I know, he either told me that in confidence or during a temporary lapse of judgment.”

“Well, that’s his mistake, isn’t it?” Greg smirked, practically inviting her...