She disappears down the hall. I lean against the wall, pulling out my phone. A text from Kieran is already waiting.
KIERAN
Kitchen’s a warzone. Miss me yet?
I smile and start typing back.
A shadow shifts at the edge of my vision.
“Marin.”
The voice lands slate-gray with a neon edge, amused and sharp.
I turn.
Reed strolls toward me, two bottles hooked in one hand. He doesn’t sound like the guy from game night anymore. Tonight his hoodie sleeves are pushed up, his grin is easy.
It still throws me.
“Reed,” I say carefully. “You’re back.”
“Yeah. Chaos in the kitchen,” he says, amused. “O’Connor’s playing referee. He’ll make a terrifyingly competent dad someday.”
I smile despite myself, still watching him, trying to reconcile this version with the aggressive one I’d witnessed a few weeks ago. Maybe it was just game day adrenaline, I tell myself.
“Didn’t think you were the house-party type,” he adds, offering one of the bottles. “But hey, look at you. Branching out.”
He twists off his own cap with an easy motion. The hiss of carbonation blooms warm yellow. He takes a slow sip, then taps my bottle once. “Here, opener.”
I hook it under the cap and pop it off. Reed takes another drink, watching me over the rim.
“You and O’Connor,” he says lightly. “Didn’t think you’d actually go for it.”
“Go for what?”
“The whole relationship thing.” He shrugs. “Thought you’d keep him on the hook longer.”
“Interesting hypothesis,” I say dryly. “Shame about the data.”
His mouth twitches. “Guess I miscalculated.” He lifts his bottle again. “Anyway. Welcome to the club. You want to fit in? You’ve got to drink.”
He nods toward my bottle. I take a sip.
The taste hits sweet, metallic, a little off.
I pause, frowning. Something’s wrong with it. Maybe it’s old. Maybe?—
A wave of warmth rolls up my neck. Sweat pricks at my hairline even though the hallway is cool.
And that’s when I know. With sudden, crystal clarity that cuts:
He did something to my drink.
The realization hits like ice water.
My eyes snap to Reed. He’s watching me. Assessing.
Like he’s waiting to see how long it takes.
