“No, the fuck it was not,” Matt says, jabbing a finger in Volk’s direction. “Every time you two had a…thing, he acted like a get-off-my-lawn grandpa. It was exhausting.”
“Fuck off, man.” There’s a subtle warning in Volk’s playful tone.
Matt’s eyes light up. “Oh, are you still embarrassed about how quickly you became hopeless for her when she still wanted to slug you?”
“Kennedy always wanted me. Even when she found me annoying, she would’ve—”
Kennedy’s fingers brush his lips. “Donotfinish that sentence if you ever want to see me naked again.”
Volk’s mouth snaps shut. Kennedy spins in his arms, then lifts herself on her toes to whisper in his ear. His hand immediately finds hers, and I turn away, needing to relieve the ache settling into my chest as I absorb their dynamic, the way they effortlessly flirt.
This time, when I turn back to the kitchen, Finley is watching me. I don’t say anything to my friends before taking off in her direction, drawn to her like a defender to the puck. Her gaze remains on me until I stand next to her.
“You look badass,” I say in lieu of hello.
“I’m a spy.” She kicks one foot back, her leg bending at the knee, sending the weapon of a heel into the air. She effortlessly balances on one razor-thin spike, like she’s standing barefoot.
I lean one elbow on the counter and rest my head in my palm. “I’d tell you my secrets.”
One side of Finley’s lips upturn, and I bowl over in relief. I want to erase the last few days of awkwardness, go back to our comfortable dynamic.
“I think you already do.”
“So do you, High-flyer,” I reply. “Maybe you’re not a good spy after all.”
“I’ll clue you into a secret of the trade.” Finley leans in closer, and I’m hit with a blast of the fruity coconut scent I love.“Sharing a secret is the best way to learn one. It puts people at ease.”
I’m grinning like an idiot, I’m sure. I can’t play it cool around this girl, even when I try. “Is that so?”
She straightens, then shrugs. “I don’t know, but it sounds good. Spiesloveto use their sexiness. Or at least Jennifer Garner did.”
I swallow hard. “You’d be a very good spy, Finley.”
She goes to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, forgetting about her wig. Her hand instead drops to her side, fiddling with the gun strapped to her hip.
“Jennifer Garner?” I ask to save Finley from squirming in embarrassment. The insecure part of me loves knowingIdo that to her, but I never want to make her uncomfortable. Affected, yes, but never unsure she is anything other than perfect in my eyes.
Finley lets out a relieved breath. “FromAlias. It’ssucha good show. You’ve never seen it?”
I shake my head.
“Okay, that’s unacceptable. I’m making you watch it with me.”
“If you insist.”I hope the show is incredibly long and drawn out so I can spend more time with you.
Finley beams, turning her already beautiful face into a sight that hurts to see.
“So are you going to tell me what you’re dressed as?”
I flash the crossbow at her. “You can’t tell?”
“Are you an assassin too?”
“Of a kind. It’ll make more sense when you see Jennings.”
I spot him in the corner and gesture in his direction. Finley walks beside me, my hand on the small of her back to guide her through the crowd.
“Who’s Jennings?” she asks.
