I chuckled, the sound bubbling up before I could contain it.
“Okay, now I’m not sharing another thing.”
“Too late!” Mary grinned, pulling out her phone. “We need a group chat dedicated to this relationship. I’m naming it 'Liz + golden retriever Bad Boy = Swoon.’”
“Absolutely not,” I protested, swiping a fry from her plate. But I couldn’t help but smile again. And for a brief moment, it felt safe to do so.
Even as I guarded pieces of my heart,
Even with the truth ticking away in the background—
Right now, in this little booth filled with sunlight, laughter, and the love of my friends—
I allowed myself to embrace it.
I was falling for him, and no amount of armor could shield me from that truth.
Noah
The tuxedo shop was filled with the scent of fresh fabric, leather polish, and the weight of money I’d rather not spend.
I fiddled with the collar of the jacket they’d just fitted me in, rolling my shoulders while the tailor adjusted the sleeves. It was black, slim cut, and classic. I looked like someone I could almost mistake for a stranger.
Liam whistled from across the room. “Wow, Walsh. You look like you’ve got a trust fund and a secret poker game going on.”
I rolled my eyes and shot a glance at Adonis, who lounged against a bench, arms crossed and looking way too satisfied for someone not in the hot seat.
“Seriously, why are you two even here?” I muttered.
“Support,” Liam replied.
“Entertainment,” Adonis chimed in. “Plus, Lillian made me promise to make sure you don’t bail and show up in a hoodie.”
I gave him a dry look. “I’m not a wild animal.”
“No, but you are a creature of habit. And black tactical gear doesn’t exactly scream gala masquerade.”
He had a point.
The tailor nodded and stepped back, giving me the green light to move. I walked toward the mirror slowly. The man staring back didn’t resemble the soldier, the shadow, the asset. He looked... real. Present.
And that threw me off a bit.
“Aurora keeps asking about you and Liz,” Adonis said suddenly, taking a seat. “She says she misses her ‘mission princess’ and the guy with the motorcycle.” His smile softened, catching me off guard. “She even asked if Liz would wear a tiara to her next tea party.”
A little tug pulled at my heart. “She’s a good kid.”
“She’s our kid,” he replied, pride weaving through his words. “She’s the bright spot this life has given us.”
I nodded slowly. “She still doesn’t know?”
“About what her parents used to be?” He shook his head. “Not yet. Someday. For now, she just thinks Lillian works at a nonprofit and I’m too boring to explain.”
“Smart kid.”
“Terrifyingly so.”
We lingered in silence for a moment.
