“It worked,” I point out.
“It absolutely did.” He picks up the book, flips to a random page. “Oh wow, Cap highlighted the?—”
I take the book back. “Some of those are private.”
“You brought it to team dinner!”
“For Marnie. Not for commentary.”
Barrett clears his throat from across the room. “For the record, what you do outside this facility is your business. But here?” He raises his beer. “You’re adults. Act like it.”
“To adults acting like adults,” Dex says, raising his own drink. “And to Cap’s extensive romance novel research.”
“To romance novel research,” everyone echoes.
The chirping continues through dinner—Rodriguez asking pointed questions about specific scenes, Brody suggesting I make a spreadsheet of my highlights, Elliot wanting to know if I’d recommend any for their book club.
I endure it because it’s worth it to see Marnie relaxed for the first time in days, laughing at my expense, her hand finding mine under the table.
Later,after dinner when people are migrating to different conversations, Marnie and I end up on Dex’s back deck.
She’s wearing my jacket against the chill, looking out at the city lights.
“Thank you,” she says quietly.
“For what?”
“For reading terrible books. For—” She turns to look at me. “For proving you meant it. That I’m worth fighting for.”
“You are. Always have been.”
“Even when I’m panicking and pushing you away?”
“Especially then.” I pull her against my chest. “Though next time maybe panic less and trust me more?”
“I’ll try.” She laughs softly. “The books were sweet. In a completely crazy way.”
“I’m keeping the list.”
“I know.” She tilts her head up. “Some of those greens were really ambitious.”
“We have time to work up to them.”
“That’s what concerns me.” But she’s smiling. “Going public like this—in front of everyone—that was a risk.”
“A calculated one. Everyone in that room already knew. And they’re on our side.” I kiss her forehead. “Besides, I’m done letting Winters control our lives. Let him watch. Let him document. We’re not hiding anymore.”
“You make it sound simple.”
“It is simple. We’re together. We’re not breaking any rules. And if Winters has a problem with it, that’s his problem. Not ours.”
She’s quiet, and I watch her process. Wanting to believe it but still scared.
“What if he comes after me anyway?”
“Then we deal with it.” I tilt her chin up. “But you don’t have to be scared anymore, Marnie. I’m not going to let him destroy you.”
“You can’t promise that.”
