“No it’s not. But how are you? Is everything okay with you and your plus one?”
She laughs at that and says, “Yes. Luckily, I have more help than I could ever need.”
I look up, over her shoulder, “Hi Ric, nice to meet you in person.”
We’ve met digitally, but the virtual version of him was less imposing.
“Welcome to the club.” The way his eyes flick up to the guys… I don’t know if he means me or them.
Laurel grabs my hands, squeezing my fingers tight. “Blink three times if they’re holding you hostage.”
She winks at me so I know she’s joking, but I know her well enough that if Ididblink three times right now, it wouldn’t go well. She’d have me out the door and to… whatever safety looks like in her estimation. It would take less than five minutes.
“I’m exactly where I want to be.”
“Good.” Her smile falters just a little as she glances toward the door. “Don’t let anyone try to tell you you don’t know that, okay?”
She squeezes my arm and nudges me back toward Arc.
I go as if pulled by the opposite pole of my magnet.
It’s been like this for the last week. I move, they move. Every shift met by a reaction… sometimes so subtle, I doubt they even notice it.
I don’t think Arc fully registers that he’s placed his hand on my back or that his constant contact might be seen as steering me.
The other two notice his actions, though I’m not sure they notice their own.
“We know,” Arc says softly. “Ric thinks you’re bonded to one of us. He’s just politely waiting to find out who.”
The door opens and I shift so that Arc’s body blocks me from view as Jessica and Trench arrive.
“I thought you were an old pro at arguing with your sister,” Arc says softly, a wry smile twisting his lips. “But here you are… hiding.”
“Just because I’m a veteran with tried-and-true tactics doesn’t mean Iwantto go into battle. Especially here.”
Thankfully, Jess doesn’t make a beeline for Arc when she and Trench break apart. But as she goes to Laurel, he moves toward us…
And then he stops.
He looks from me to Arc and then he reaches out and grabs Jess by the arm.
When he pulls her back to him, he makes sure her back is to us.
Arc laughs, just a single breath of a sound. “He’s trying to keep her from killing me.”
“I won’t let her.”
“What?!” Jess’ word is so sharp, almost everyone in the room winces.
She turns sharply, and I step out from behind Arc, placing myself between her and him.
I like to hope it won’t come to that, but even if I can’t keep her from attacking him, I like to think—to hope—that at least three of the people in the room would try to stop her.
“You!” Jess doesn’t attack Arc, she attacks me. The hug she grips me in is so tight, I have to hit her back.
“Can’t breathe.”
“You lied to me.” Jessica glares at Kimba. “You lied right to my face.”
