She freezes. Her whole body. Her hands come up to my shoulders, and her halo bumps my cap. “Melly,” she says my name seriously. “You’re drunk.” She looks me dead in my eyes. “So is he. He’s not going to remember any of this in the morning. That isnotthe comfort you think it is —”
“He offered me his bed.”
Her eyes widen. She makes a small sound betweenohandnoand actually takes half a step toward Blue. I yank her back by the bodysuit.
I’m flustered as I say, “Okay. Okay, okay, okay. Just — please. Please don’t ruin this for me.”
She turns back with the full weight of her knowing face. “Are you serious right now? You broke up with Chase on Tuesday, Melly.”
I shake my head because this is different. “You know it’s always been him.”
Her whole face stops.
“So please,” I whisper. “Don’t say anything to him. I’m embarrassed enough already.”
I gesture down at the jersey, the mustache, the nylons, the entire ridiculous arrangement of my new Halloween costume.
She looks at me. She looks at the costume. She looks at me again.
“Fine. I’ll test a theory. I’m taking a picture of you two right now.” She turns and walks toward the basket by the door.
“Mila —now?”
“Right now.”
“Mila.”
She’s already pulling our phones out. She turns back toward the kitchen with the stride of a woman who’s decided on a plan.
Blue is leaning against the island. Still in the wings. His halo has slid down a little. Percy’s at the sink with a yellow sponge, washing punch cups. Blue looks up when Mila marches in.
“Melly, get over there.”
I look at her. She looks at me with a face that saysI dare you.She holds the phone up and gives me ahurry upface.
I walk over to Blue. “Sorry,” I say under my breath.
She looks at the phone and says, “Smile.”
His arm goes around my shoulders before I’ve gotten next to him and tucks me into him. I let my body feel the warmth he’s radiating.
I look up at him. He’s not smiling. He’s looking down at me with an expression I can’t name.
“Smile. The least you can do is not look miserable.”
He says, “I’m not miserable.”
“Then stop looking like it.”
He huffs. I turn back to the camera and smile for real. My left hand comes up to rest on his chest like it’s junior prom. His heart is going way too fast for a man who looks this calm.
Mila takes a few pictures. I can see him smiling now. Mila lowers my phone, and Blue’s arm slides off my shoulders.
“Mila!” Penelope’s voice comes from the front door. “We have to go!”
Mila stares at me, handing over my phone. I stare back. She looks up at Blue and shakes her head, almost to herself. “I can’tbelieve we’re doing this again.” She looks down at me. “Call me when you wake up.”
She turns and leaves. I hear the front door click shut, and the house feels less tense. The normal Blue Golding would have, by now, saidleave with her.He would have askedwhat did she mean by that.The normal Blue Golding hates being put in a situation with me. He would rather run. This Blue Golding pats Percy on the back like a man at the end of a long shift.
