“Despite my best efforts,” I say in a teasing tone. “Walking around the house shirtless has no effect on her.”
Hannah rolls her eyes, but I can tell the tension has eased.
“Anything else you want to know? Deepest, darkest secrets? Most embarrassing moments?” I ask Ruby.
“I mean…since you brought it up, yeah, kind of.” Ruby laughs. “Okay, I thought of another one.”
“One more.” I hold up a finger to emphasize.
“Have you been forced to hold hands or kiss since you’ve been pretending to be married?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her we aren’t pretending, but I’ll save that for the next time Hannah asks it. I get what Ruby wants to know.
“No.” I shake my head.
“And when you do?”
“Who is going to demand we kiss to prove our marriage?” I ask her. “I don’t walk around pressuring couples to make out in front of me.”
“That’s because we do it without prompting.” She leans over and kisses Nick as if to prove her point.
“That’s true. It might be suspicious if you never touch,” Nick adds.
“Lots of couples aren’t all over each other in public,” Shep says.
“I wouldn’t know anything about that.” D-Low grins.
“Some couples don’t even like each other,” Penn says. “But that’s not Trav and Hannah.”
Oh sure, the quietest guy in the bunch decides to pipe up now? Thanks a lot, Penn.
“We’ll figure it out,” I tell them while I try very hard not to think about kissing her again—pretend or not.
“I’m sorry about all that,” I say to Hannah as we leave my friends with the excuse to get new drinks.
I lead her upstairs and to the back deck. Nick’s house looks out onto the lake. This time of year, it’s not quite as pretty as in the summer, but it’s quiet and away from everyone else. It occurs to me that while we live together, we haven’t been alone like this a lot. We’re rarely at the house at the same time and when we are, we’re usually sleeping. Mornings are my favorite. I get upearly, make coffee, then hang out in the kitchen so I can see her before she leaves.
“No. I get it. I’m sure if my friend got married in a similar situation, then I’d have all kinds of questions too.”
“Mostly I think they just want to get to know you.”
“I like them. They’re funny, and even though I can see giving you shit is their favorite pastime, I can tell they care about you too. Conrad and Danny are just like I remembered them, and it’s cute to see Nick and Ruby together. Penn seems nice too.”
“Salt of the earth. He’s like the wise old grandfather of the group.”
“He’s what, thirty?” she asks with a laugh.
“Thirty-two, I think. Ancient for hockey.”
She laughs again, softer. We stand facing each other at the edge of the deck. I lean one arm on the railing.
“I have a question.”
“Ruby-Doo’s already wearing off on you.” The wind is blowing her hair, and I catch a strand between my fingertips.
“Was it really your idea in Vegas?”
I blow out a quiet laugh. “What do you think?”
