Page 99 of Connectio

She starts for the elevator. “Lib, do you mind waiting down here?”

I’m about to say no when Will drapes his arm over my shoulders, pulls me to his side, and says, “She’ll be fine. I’ll take good care of her.”

I push him away as the elevator doors open and she disappears inside. “Labia?” I gripe, sucking on my tooth. “Really?”

He bursts into laughter. “You wanted a performance, so I gave you one.”

Huffing, I step up to his chest and throw my arms over his shoulders, breathing him in. “Are you okay? What happened? How’s Bryce and Derek? You must’ve been so worried.”

He rests his forehead against mine, and I’m acutely aware that someone we know might see us. I just don’t care right now. He seems fragile, and I want to know he’s okay.

“Gareth blew up the apartment.”

I rear back. “Who’s Gareth?”

“Bryce’s cousin.”

“His cousin! But why? Why would he do that? And how…?”

He shakes his head. “Don’t know. Apparently, he wanted to kill Alexis.”

“Oh my God!”

“He’s a creepy fuck. Always has been.”

A shiver runs the length of my spine. “Was anyone else hurt? The news report said someone died.”

“Yeah. Gareth did.”

Resting my head on his chest, I squeeze him tight, glad he wasn’t there when this unfolded. “How awful for Bryce.”

“Dude’s a mess. I’ve never seen him like this.” Will presses his lips to my head and inhales. “I’ve missed you.”

I smile. “It’s only been four days.”

“Four days too long.”

Not wanting to—because he’s warm and comforting and smells like fresh trees and clean dirt—I pry myself off him and step back before someone sees us.

“Don’t do that.” He tugs me to him again. “There’s no one here.”

Pushing against his chest, I argue, “Carly could come back at any second.”

“Let her.”

“Will.” I sigh.

“What?”

“Now’s not the time to announce we’re together.”

“Then when is? It’s been months.”

“I don’t know. Soon.”

“How soon?”

“Just… soon.”