“Please be quiet. If they see—”
“They won’t,” he says. “And if they do, they’ll learn.”
He reaches for the knob, pauses, then comes back to kiss my forehead. “Merry Christmas, Oppa.”
I catch his wrist. Just a second. Just long enough to whisper, “Thank you.”
He kisses my hand; “Thankyoufor trusting me.”
Ipeel Anaise's drunk hands from around the back of my neck, but as soon as I let her wrists go, she clamps back onto me.
"I wuv you, Wootekie," she slurs, standing on top of my feet. "Do you remember when we would all watch the fireworks together?"
"I sure do," I say and shuffle closer to the front door.
"You're certain you don't wanna come?" I hear Austin ask Carey before he grips beneath Anaise's underarms and lifts her off of me. She squeaks, then giggles before wrapping herself around him instead. He pats her head; "You were starting to make me jealous."
Anaise grins up at him, her bangs parting and her cheeks popping out in the most adorable way.
Austin looks back at Carey. "It's only New Year's once a… year."
Brilliant.
Austin screws up his face. "Shut up, Tek."
"I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have to." Again he redirects to Carey as Anaise tries to climb his body. "Last chance." He jerks his head in my direction. "You're not gonna get any fun out of him tonight."
Anaise bops his nose. "You don't know that."
"He hasn't come out with us since college."
Gripping onto Austin's shoulders, Anaise lifts herself and wraps her legs around his waist. "Just because he doesn't like coming out on New Year's Eve, doesn't mean he won't be funhere."
He leans his head back to try and look at her properly. "Why does this feel cryptic all of a sudden?"
"Maybe because ya'll are trying to hide something from us?" Carey interjects.
Anaise rests her head against Austin's chest. "We aren't hiding anything."
I roll my eyes. "I can see that."
"Maybe you're the jealous one?" Austin says with a weak shrug.
"Nah." Carey slumps an arm over my shoulders. "You pair are too cute to be jealous of."
Austin's cheeks blush but I don't think he realizes.
"I'm not really interested in being a third wheel." Carey reaches for the door handle. "But you guys go enjoy the display. We'll be able to see the fireworks from here."
The thought ratchets up the tension in my chest. It's already eleven p.m. "You won't find a decent place to park if you don't leave soon."
Austin grins at me. "Are you trying to kick us out?"
"They're trying to be alone," Anaise whispers, but she's too drunk to actually make it quiet.
"We're not—" I start, but she cuts me off by swinging an arm back dramatically and pressing her finger against my lips.
