“Show me,” she squealed as he danced out of the way.
Lee finally relented, pulling up his course list and rosters.
“KiaraandNikola—in the same course? Not even fair. Trade me!” she demanded, still gripping his wrist as she stared back at his luck with disbelief.
“Not a chance. Your little crush there would be heartbroken.”
Kat hissed. “Fine. But don’t blame me when he and I start to get things on.” She went to let go of his wrist, but Lee snatched up hers with his other hand.
“Oh, you two won’t be getting anything on.” Lee pulled her closer still by her wrist, caressing it to his chest. The heat between them rising to color her face and spark her lungs in the same breath.
They were interrupted before things could really combust by the Hideaway doors sliding open. An embarrassed-looking, second year Rad cadet clambered past them.
“Come on, you.” Yanking on the front of Lee’s dark T-shirt, she pulled him through the doors after her.
The Hideaway was as packed as they ever saw it. The cadets who’d been away for the term break were catching up with friends, and those who’d never left soaked in the last of their holiday before trainings once more dominated their schedules.
She and Lee stood in a longer line than usual to grab their green juices, before taking them over by the railing while they waited for a table to free up.
“It’s not a Solar Flare,” Kat teased, taking a long swig.
Lee tapped his plastic cup against hers, a warm, familiar light crinkling the corners of his eyes. She spotted Whistler across the room, his arm slung loosely across Demi’s narrow, sculpted shoulders. When he met her eyes, Demi leaned over to whisper something to Whistler, and the two of them came over.
“Hey, how was the break? You look like you got some sun,” Whistler said, motioning to Kat, her hair, and the barely perceivable tan on her pale arms. He and Demi leaned in to give them each hugs. “You look amazing.”
“Thanks,” she grinned, sinking into Lee’s touch as he slipped his arm casually—and maybe just a tad possessively—around her shoulders. It was cute to see Lee riled up about another guy. Even when he had absolutely nothing to worry about.
Whistler, she noticed, had also slung his arm back around Demi. Like even a few seconds apart was too much. And when his gaze met Demi’s—
“Wait, are you two—” Kat began.
“We made it official before the break,” Whistler announced proudly, cutting his boyfriend a softer version of his usual crooked grin.
“Aw!” Kat squealed, bouncing up onto the balls of her feet. “Congratulations.”
“I’m happy for you,” Lee said sincerely as she wrapped her hands once more around his arm.
“How was your break?” Kat asked. “Did Demi go with you, then, to visit the family?”
“Nah, not this time.” Whistler shrugged, eyes slipping back over to Demi. “He had his own plans.” Whistler didn’t seem too upset by his boyfriend’s decision.
Demi nodded, smiling politely. “Another time, maybe.”
Demi had a very handsome face. His golden-brown eyes seemed to warm further under these lights.
“How are the folks?” Lee asked.
Whistler shrugged a shoulder. “Same, same. They’ve both been busy with the garage. Dad’s finally allowing my younger cousin to take on ships of his own. And mom, well, she’ll never understand what I see in this place. But they’re happy that I’m happy.”
“Family can be complicated,” Lee said, smoothing a thumb softly over Kat’s shoulder blade.
“An understatement,” Whistler agreed. But he didn’t look troubled by it. On the contrary, with his hair waving freely about his shoulders, Whistler looked more relaxed than they’d seen him in weeks.
“I like the new addition,” Kat nodded to a couple of piercings that had been added to the gilded collection on Demi’s ear.
“Thanks. End of term present. I’ve got the full set now.” He didn’t elaborate on the cultural significance, but she could see that pride in the way he angled his head.
Kat did a double take at the flash of lavender she glimpsed over Demi’s shoulder. And for a split second, a surge of uncertainty welled up inside of her. But then she realized it was just the purple dress on another cadet on break. It wasn’t Levy.
