Page 138 of Dancing in the Dark

“No, I…” Oh, God. Save me, please. “Sera, it’s not like⁠—”

“I wouldn’t say no if you asked me.”

“You—” My entire fucking world ceases to function. “You wouldn’t?”

“Was that a proposal?” Aubree thrusts her hand high in the air. “Was that it? Because if it was, I’ve got first dibs as bridesmaid.”

“No.” Raquel claps her palm over Aubree’s lips. “Shush. It didn’t happen yet.”

“I-I don’t want it to be public and weird and all for show,” Sera murmurs. “It has to be just for us. For Mia. It has to be humble and honest. I want you to mean it, and then honor it, and I want you to ask me when the time is right. Not only when it’s convenient for Doctor Emeri’s schedule.” She swallows her nerves, her throat shifting with the movement. “I also wanted to speak to you about something private. The, uh…” She gestures away. “I just left Justin’s office. I wanted to tell you⁠—”

“About Markum’s complete inability not to be a bitch?” I drop my hands into my pockets and wander closer. “I already know.”

She looks toward Archer. To Minka. “What he said was unacceptable. It was nothing more than a mudslinging exercise in the hope that something would stick. But you should know that you have the full support of the mayor’s office, and⁠—”

“It’s alright,” I rasp. “Arch and I have been tiptoeing our way through IA investigations for a decade already. We’ll continue to be dragged into them from now until retirement, because his daddy was crooked, and guys like Markum will always suffer from small-man syndrome.” I hook my finger in the belt loop on her skirt and gently tug her closer. “Since you’re such a staunch advocate for clear communication, I’m telling you now that I plan to ask you to marry me. Soon. I don’t wanna rush us, and I want you to be really sure, since a life with me isn’t likely to be all peace and rainbows and cute puppy dogs and shit. It’s gonna be hard work, Sera. IA will always be up my ass, and nights like last night will keep–”

“I don’t mind.” She licks her lips, her nervous gaze shifting between mine. “I’d rather work hard with you, than regret the people I walked away from.”

“Yeah?” I draw her just a little closer. “You really mean that?”

A vicious blush darkens her cheeks. “I really mean it. When the time is right.”

“Mmm. Good. And until then, maybe it would be alright if I kissed you in front of my friends sometimes?” I draw her in until our hips touch. “I didn’t get to do that yet.”

“Aww!” Aubree squeaks. “Are we finally allowed to talk about this?”

“You could kiss me.” Sera drops her gaze and lifts a single, shrugging shoulder. “Then we need to talk about Mia’s next recital. There’ve been some last-minute scheduling changes.”

“What changes? Her next recital isn’t until…” I rack my brain. “Next month, sometime.”

“Actually, it’s tonight.” She brings her eyes up again and gifts me with a beautiful grin. “Eight o’clock. I’ll send invitations out via email.” She places her hands on my hips and nibbles her delectable bottom lip. “It’s really important that you make it on time.”

“No, I…” I’m so confused. So lost. “There’s nothing on tonight. There can’t be, because we usually do costume try-ons and extra rehearsals and…” I shake my head. “Plus, she’s still upset about last time, so I d⁠—”

“Don’t be late.” She steps onto her toes and transfers her nibbling teeth to my lips. “If you think you might be late, communicate. That’s all I’m asking.”

“But—”

“You didn’t kiss me yet.”

“Kiss her already!” Raquel snarls. “Jaysus, man.”

Archer slaps the back of my neck and shoves me forward. “Talk less,” he rumbles. “Kiss more. That’s the secret to a happier life.”

Sera drapes her arms over my shoulders, pulling me down and humming her pleasure as our tongues touch and her heart pounds against mine. “Say that thing you know I like.” She kisses my jaw. The side of my neck. Then back to my lips. “You know the thing.”

“Oh, like a kinky dirty thing?” Raquel squeezes past Archer and stands way too damn close. “What dirty thing do you say, Detective?”

“Charlie?” Sera cups the sides of our faces with her palms, shielding us from Raquel’s presence and the pair of bright blue eyes intent on becoming a part of our moment. “I’m being exceptionally brave right now. I’m kissing you in front of Chief Mayet, after all. That’s a big deal.”

“How the hell have I been dragged into this relationship?” Minka growls. “I didn’t ask for this.”

“Charlie?”

“I love you?” I say it like a question and search her eyes for confirmation that’s what she wanted to hear, so when they turn molten, warm, and the exact right shade of mossy green, I smirk and repeat, “I love you.” I kiss her cheek. “I love you.” Then the tiny wrinkle she stress-puts between her brows. “I fuckin’ love you, Seraphina Lewis. And I’m gonna ask you to marry me someday.”

“Someday,” Archer scoffs. “Like, next Tuesday, probably.”