“You’re going to get me killed.”
“Maybe.” She grinned, wicked and perfect. “But what a way to go.”
As she pulled me toward the others, I caught Blake watching us from across the room. He raised his drink in a tiny salute. Still grudging. Still protective. But accepting.
I nodded back. Then, just because I could, I dipped Faith into a dramatic kiss that would have made a romance novel cover jealous.
Blake’s groan was audible from across the room.
“Oh, this is GOLD!” Axel was suddenly right there, phone out, narrating like a nature documentary host. Apparently, he couldn’t push pause on his goading for long. “Come on, guys. Really commit to it! Blake’s watching—make it count! Make Blake regret every life choice!” He pivoted to Blake, zooming in. “Blake, how are you feeling? Can you describe your emotional state for the camera? Are you experiencing rage? Nausea? The sudden urge to commit murder?”
“I will END you,” Blake growled.
I pulled back from Faith, both of us laughing. She was flushed, breathless, and absolutely perfect.
We were going to be okay. All of us.
One awkward Christmas at a time.
“So …” Tessa shifted. “We have something to tell you …”
62
FAITH
As we sat around the bonfire in my backyard, I studied the group of people who had become my closest friends. I’d been slowly moving into Ryker’s penthouse. And don’t get me wrong; the place was incredible, but for all its luxury, it didn’t have this: a patch of dirt where we could build a fire and sit under the stars.
The last time we’d gathered around flames like this, everything had been different. The threat to my future had been crashing down around me.
Now, there was nothing but freedom.
I watched Axel and Dakota share a smile, their breath coming out in white puffs on this cold night. They were laughing as orange flames licked up into the sky, crackling through the logs. Then there was Jace and Scarlett, so lost in love that it was like they didn’t see anybody else around them. Blake and Tessa snuggled under a thick blanket, his arm wrapped around her, keeping her perfectly warm.
Rainbow had apparently decided Axel was her new best friend. She was sprawled across his lap like a furry hot water bottle, her tail thumping contentedly against his thigh.
“Why?” Axel said flatly, staring down at her. “Why do you always choose me?”
“She must think you have a heart,” Ryker said.
“Poor, misguided dog,” Jace added.
Axel pulled a blanket over Rainbow, tucking it around her weird little body. “Don’t get comfortable. This is a temporary arrangement.”
Rainbow licked his hand.
“Traitor,” he muttered, but didn’t push her away.
“We have an announcement.” Tessa’s voice cut through the peaceful crackling of the fire.
“If you’re about to tell us you’re going to start having a lot more sex, save it,” Axel snapped, not missing a beat. His hand was still absently stroking Rainbow’s ears.
Tessa rolled her eyes. “You know, you’re nothing if not consistent, Axel.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You shouldn’t.” But she smiled.
“Tessa,” Blake warned, his voice gentle but cautious, “are you sure about this timing?”
