“Let’s swing by the mall and grab the decorations.”
“What did Lewis pick for this year’s theme?”
“It’s my turn to choose, thank fuck. He tried to bully me into aMad Maxvibe, so I’m leaning more toward glittery unicorn feels.”
I snicker. “I’m team Mad Max.”
“Not happening.”
It feels good to laugh. We pull up outside the mall and climb out, strolling through the parking lot in comfortable silence, him whistling nonchalantly, sneaking me the occasional look.
“What?”
“Nothing. You look like you’re running on empty, that’s all.”
Makes sense. My sleep has gone to shit, ever since—
“Lois!”
I nearly jump out of my skin at the sound of Adam shrieking. How did he know what I was thinking? I glance at him. He’s waving a hand, staring straight ahead. Slowly, I turn to follow his gaze, nearly tripping over my own feet.
“What the fuck is this?” I mutter.
We’re so close, I could swear I just saw Lois mouth the exact same thing, and I’m wondering whether this is the weirdest coincidence ever when Adam sets me straight with a single sentence.
“Ready to get your confetti on?”
Something in his tone makes me realize he planned this whole situation.
What is he doing?
I wish I could drag my eyes away from her—but I can’t. After the initial shock, a whole wave of confusing, conflicting feelings comes crashing over me. I take in her curves, my eyes drifting up to her face. She’s staring at Adam, a horrified expression on her face—she didn’t know I would be here, either. She turns to look at me, and when our eyes meet, I suppress a shiver.
“Hey.”
I nod in reply. Her voice is polite. Flat. Worlds away from how she sounded with me before. It should suit me just fine—so why am I so triggered?
Adam loops his arm through hers and leads her into the store as I follow, watching Lois whisper in his ear. Those two clicked from the get-go, and seeing them so close and friendly is setting my teeth on edge.
Inside the store, I clutch the cart to keep my hands busy.
“What do you think, Lane?”
I look up. Adam is waving two different piñatas at me.
“A fucking piñata?” I snort. “How old are you guys—five?”
He sighs. “Lois?”
“The green one.”
“Lewis hates green,” I snap.
Lois glares at me. “Guess he’ll do a great job of smashing it up, then.” She says it like she’s imagining caving in my skull with a baseball bat.
“Green it is!” Adam beams.
“Remind me again—why I am here?”
