"Careful with the pictures," I warned. "These people, they'll swipe right and they'll swipe left. They don't respect unspoken photoalbumlaws."
The warm burst of her laugh hit my neck, and I kissed her temple. "You say that as if they haven't already seen a few from our privatestock."
"Yeah. Thanks for reminding me," I said. "Maybe you should just come along. You can hold your own damn drink, and then I'll show you the secretpassageways."
Alex tugged her bottom lip between her teeth. "I wouldn't mind thateither."
I glanced back at the table, ready to make a run for it, and found everyone staring atus. "What?"
"Ohhh. I'm just so happy," Shannon said. She blinked, and though I couldn't be certain, it looked like there were tears in her eyes. Actual fucking tears. "This isgreat."
"Seeing you," Tiel clarified with a sappy smile. "Both of you. Here.Together."
"I didn't interpret this as an optional event,"Isaid.
"That's because it's not fucking optional," Samsnapped.
"I believe she's trying to say that it's nice to see this," Nick said, drawing an invisible circle around me and Alex. "You're welcome, bytheway."
Alex ducked her head as she stifled a laugh. "Acevedo is right more often thanhe'snot."
"Don't say that," Erin protested. "I'll never hear the endofit."
I stood, holding my hand out to Alex. "We're going to take advantage of the free liquor," I announced. "Good luck with the rest of your bitching andmoaning."
I couldn't stay in here with the doom and gloom squad. The tension was already pulling my neck and shoulders tight, and I didn't trust myself to bite my tongue much longer. I hated this as much as they did but I didn't have the capacity to discuss it. I rarely talked about my father or any of the fucking awful things he did to us, and that approach worked for me. I didn't need to commiserate or vent or anything. I just needed to get the fuck outofhere.
I pulled Alex out of the kitchen and backed her against the wall, crushing my lips to hers the moment we were out of my siblings' line ofsight.
"I feel like," I started, my kisses quick and biting, "like I'm coming apart at theseams."
"What do you want?" she whispered. "Just tell me. Whatever it is, we'lldoit."
"I don't know," I admitted, resting my foreheadagainsthers.
"Are there actually secret passageways in this house?" she asked. I nodded, my lips busy mapping her cheeks and jaw. "I want to see. Maybe we can find a fun spot for some naughtyphotos."
"No," I hissed. "Not here. I can't touch you here and feel rightaboutit."
Alex's hands smoothed down my chest and she edged me back. "Okay. We'll get a drink and then see a secret passageway. It'll be an adventure." She wiggled her tiny purse, the one she wore around her wrist, at me. "If an early exit is needed, I can always get an emergency call from thehospital."
"I'd love an emergency call from the hospital," I said, hooking my arm around her shoulders as we walked down the hallway. "Something gory. Liver stones or enlarged intestines or somethinglikethat."
"None of those things are happening tonight," she laughed. "Post-op complications are more likely, and they'realsoreal."
Will rounded the corner, his hands filled with drinks and his smile genuine. "RISD," he called. "How's it going,myman?"
"Can't complain too much," I replied. "Alex, this is Will Halsted. He jumped on the grenade and married Shannon. Will, this is AlexEmmerling."
"Someone had to do it," he said, laughing. "And look—Alex is jumping on the grenade for youtonight."
"Isn't that the truth," Imumbled.
Will smiled at her, and asked, "What's your callsign,Alex?"
"My what?" she asked, her browsknitting.
"Your nickname," I replied. "It's Shortstop. That's oneofthem."
