Mark watches me closely. “And you didn’t feel the need to explain why.”
“No.”
“Or justify it.”
“No.”
“Or ask her how she felt about your personal growth journey,” Alex says.
I glare.
“I did not.”
“Proud of you,” he says sincerely.
There’s a moment of quiet then. Comfortable. Earned.
Alex breaks it. “So. When do we meet her again.”
“You don’t,” I say.
Mark smirks. “Incorrect.”
I sigh. “Eventually.”
Alex grins. “We like her.”
“I know.”
“We really like her,” Mark adds.
“I also know that.”
Alex leans forward. “Don’t fuck this up.”
“I won’t.”
Mark nods. “Good.”
They stand a few minutes later, easy, satisfied.
At the door, Alex pauses. “You did good tonight.”
I meet his eyes. “I know.”
And for the first time in weeks, that doesn’t feel like a lie I’m telling myself.
Chapter Forty-One
AUDRA
We runinto each other by accident.
That’s what it feels like, anyway.
I’m crossing the street with coffee already on my mind when I hear my name.
“Audra.”
