Page 101 of Code Name: Atticus

“It’s tradition!” he protested, and she and her mother both rolled their eyes.

The reception waspure chaos in the best way. Tank had appointed himself DJ and was currently playing eighties’ dance tunes while Dragon tried to wrestle the laptop away from him. My mom and Cathy were comparing notes on some recipe that required fourteen steps and possibly a chemistry degree. Admiral had cornered Andy to discuss military history, both men gesturing with their beers as they debated strategy in various conflicts.

“Dance with me,” Brenna said, pulling me onto the makeshift dance floor Luke and I had painstakingly installed yesterday afternoon, square by square.

I held her in my arms, and she rested her head on my shoulder.

“Look,” she said.

I followed her gaze to where Kodiak had finally convinced Emma to dance. She was actually laughing at something he’d said. His hand rested on her waist, and she appeared completely relaxed.

“Think they know?” Brenna asked.

“That they’re perfect for each other? Not a chance. They’re both too smart to see the obvious.”

“We should help.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Mrs. Finch,” I said, raising my chin in the opposite direction, where Luke stood, scowling as he watched them.

“Mrs. Finch,” she repeated, grinning. “I love that.”

We danced and laughed as the party continued around us. Emma caught the bouquet and held it with the same look of horror she’d have if there were a rattlesnake coiled in it.

As Luke had promised, his speech included a couple of embarrassing stories from our days at the academy, plus a few other creative embellishments.

“To Atticus and Brenna,” he concluded, raising his glass. “Who proved that sometimes the best things come from the worst circumstances. And who showed all of us that love, real love, is worth fighting for. Even when it takes a decade and a fake marriage to figure it out.”

As we drove away toward our honeymoon, tin cans rattling behind the car, Brenna reached over and put her hand in mine. Behind us, the lights of her parents’ house faded into the darkness. Ahead lay DC, our new life together, and whatever chaos K19 would throw our way.

But tonight, we were just Mason and Brenna Finch. No covers, no pretense, no surveillance required.

Finally, officially, and forever.