“Not what you’re asking Santa for this year?”
Audrey scoffed. “Yeah, no.”
“Okay, well, if you ever do find someone and manage to get married without death being involved, I’ll count that as a win.”
“Getting married at a crime scene isn’t high on my list, don’t worry.”
“Yeah, well, relationships haven’t been high on your list, but, since I care about you, I’m keeping my fingers crossed. For both love and no dead bodies at the wedding.”
“No current plans to invite the dead.”
“Fantastic. If you could fall in love with someone who’s all… sunshine and rainbows, that’d be great.”
“I’ll give it my best shot.”
“Fantastic! And, while we’re on the topic, how’s the newest Sinclair couple doing?”
Ah.Audrey cleared her throat. “Good, I think.”
“Have they come out as big fakers yet?” Zora asked with a laugh, clearly already fully decided on the two of them.
“Nope.” There was a clenching in Audrey’s stomach, some need to say more, to point out that Hallie was a good person.
“Do you think they’re legit?” Zora’s tone was speculative. She really didn’t buy that River had just naturally found another partner. Audrey wasn’t sure why. People did that all the time. It wasn’t a big deal.
But… did she think they were legit? “Yeah, probably.”
“Probably?” There was a loaded pause. “Explain.”
Audrey blew out a slow breath and got up from the bed, heading towards the balcony. “I don’t know. The energy was a bit weird when I first met Hallie.”
“With River or with you?”
“With River.” She hesitated briefly in the balcony doorway. Hallie’s energy with her had never been remotely weird. Not awkward, not stilted, not anything other than… Whatever.
“That’s not a good sign.”
Audrey shrugged and leaned against the railing again. It was already colder than last night. Dark and biting. She breathed it in. “It’s not necessarily a bad sign, either.”
“How is it not? People aren’t supposed to be weird with their partners.”
“Okay, well,weirdmight be an overstatement. I think it’s more a new couple trying to navigate meeting the family and not knowing how to be with each other in front of all our relatives.”
Zora snorted. “Don’t know why they’re bothered about that. Your family fucking sucks. Do whatever the hell you want and try not to get dragged down by them.”
“Most people aren’t you, Zora.”
“And the world can be glad of that. Not nearly enough space for more than one of me.”
Audrey smiled softly, looking out across the trees. “I miss you.”
“You won’t be saying that when you’re sick of the sight of me when you get back.” She paused. “So, things aren’t great?”
Audrey sighed, watching her breath rise in clouds around her. She was only that openly sentimental when things were bad. Zora knew that. “They’re not as bad as they could be.”
“That’ssucha low bar.”
“It’s really fine. I can handle it. And, uh… River’s girlfriend is… helping, actually.”
