Page 161 of Lovers Like Us

“Did she get glasses?” I ask him. “Maybe she finally realized you’re not hot enough for specialdeliveries—”

He aggressively chucks a cookie atMaximoff,who catches iteasily.

My brows arch at Oscar. “Fuck you,” I say and add a middlefinger.

Oscar cracks a short-lived smile. He watches Maximoff inspect theI’m sorrycookie, then Jane seesthem.

“I’ll call my sister.” Jane starts dialing a number, and Maximoff stares off in thought. The other end of the table is discussing the best barbecue they’ve ever had. I throw a wadded napkin atAkara.

He dodges. “Hey—”

“Catch.” I toss him acookie.

“Fuck, are they moldy?” Sulli wonders, noticing us. “That’s theworst.”

“No, they’re not moldy,” Jane replies, phone to herear.

Akara flashes the cookie toeveryone.

Thatcher sets down a steak knife and zeroes in on Oscar. “Did you do something where she’d need toapologize?”

“No,” Oscar says seriously. “I don’t really talk to her. She sends me cookies, I eat them. That’s aboutit.”

Charlie scrapes his chair back, capturing everyone’s attention. “My little sister is fascinated with boys. But she crushes on ones she knows she can’t and will never have. Because she doesn’t actually want to see it through.” He stands and saunters over to Jane. “Audrey just likes the idea of love more than thereality.”

“Oui,” Jane agrees. “She borrowed all my Outlander novels a year ago, and I haven’t seen them since. She loves a goodromance.”

“Fictionalromance,” Beckett emphasizes, rising to join his brother and sister, and Jane stands too. I take note of those three, the Cobalts, on their feettogether.

Admittedly, I may not be that partial to the Cobalts, but I can tell when they sense something’s “afoot” in their family. Standing upright, their unity carries a profound strength that clenches the air. They may as well have buckled their armor and sheathed theirweapons.

If I sense this, then so does Maximoff. He stares at his cousins, then at the phone. Weight strains therestaurant.

“Everyone quiet,” Jane says as the line connects. She pressesspeakerphone.“Audrey, I know it’s late, but Oscar just opened your cookie tin. He’s next to me, and you’re on speaker. We just wanted to know if everything’sokay.”

I hear sniffling. On the verge oftears.

Maximoff edges closer to the table. “Are youhome?”

“Yes, hi Moffy,” Audrey says softly. “I’m in my bedroom. I’ve grounded myself for eternity.” Her whimsical voice sounds like she’s starring inLittle WomenorTuck Everlasting.“It’s what I deserve most of all. Who else is withyou?”

“Everyone,” Jane says. “I can hand the phone over to Oscar if you’dlike.”

“No, this is better.” She sighs morosely, then she sighs again, her voicequivering.

Donnelly winces, hating when the young kids cry. It’s not my favorite thing either. I spin a saltshaker and listen to theCobalts.

“Audrey,” Charlie says. “What are you apologizingfor?”

Her voice cracks. “I’m so sorry. I am.” More tears, this time asob.

Beckett whispers to Jane, “Take it offspeaker.”

Before Jane moves, Audrey blubbers, “I didit.”

My breath gives, and I must be too fixated on the stalker because my mind immediately goesthere.It’s fucking irrational. Maximoff’s thirteen-year-old cousin isn’t creating death and murder images ofhim.

“Did what?” Jane asks, wide-eyed.