“That’s not illegal.”
“Yet,” Gabe mutters.
Willow’s laughing now, too. Head tipped back, eyes bright in a way I haven’t seen nearly enough lately, and my chest loosens at the sound.
Because I missed that.
The past few weeks have been hard on her.
Hard on all of us.
Everything got too loud too fast. Cameras. Rumors. Strangers turning her into a headline instead of a person.
But tonight feels different.
Lighter.
Maybe we finally stopped drowning long enough to breathe.
I snag the phone from Xander and keep reading dramatically.
“‘Witnesses report frequent displays of affection between Jameson and all three men, leading fans online to speculate whether the relationship is polyamorous, performative, or potentially a very attractive cult.’”
Willow nearly chokes laughing.
Gabe pinches the bridge of his nose. “I hate the internet.”
“I don’t know,” I say thoughtfully. “‘Very attractive cult’ has potential.”
“We’d need robes,” Willow says.
Xander’s mouth twitches.
Holy shit. That’s practically a full emotional breakdown for him.
I point accusingly. “You smiled.”
“I didn’t.”
“You did. Gabe, back me up.”
“I’m staying out of whatever this is.”
“Coward.”
Willow steals the phone again. “‘Insiders also report that Rochester appears attached.’”
I freeze theatrically.
Then place a hand over my chest.
“Well,” I say solemnly. “At least someone finally noticed.”
Her laugh hits me square in the ribs. I’d burn cities for that sound.
I grab the whiskey bottle off the kitchen counter. “Alright. Emergency drinks.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s not healthy,” Willow says.