Page 40 of Lovers Like Us

I lick my lips, pulse heightening in anticipation of theunknown.

He drapes his arm over my shoulder, then he clutches me around my collarbones. And he draws my strong back to his hardchest.

His warmth sheaths me, the embrace more intimate than I’d allowanyone else.With Farrow, I almost ease back, letting myself sink againsthim.

“Separate!”

“Fuck,” I curse and rip apart from Farrow. I run my tongue over my teeth. Fucking A. Thatcher is hawk-eyeing us from the damn tour bus. I stand more rigid on the curb and try to refocus on myphone.

Farrow is nailing the coldest glare into Thatcher, and then he clicks his mic. “We weren’t evenkissing.”

From afar, I notice Thatcher clicking his mic andspeaking.

Farrow unhooks his earpiece, letting the cord dangle on his shoulder, and he raises the volume on theradio.

Thatcher’s voice filters through the earpiece speaker. “You look like a couple. You want to do that, do it on the bus. The windows aretinted.”

Farrow is about to click hismic.

I hold up a hand. “Just drop it,” I say. “We’re in public right now, and we can’t get caught.” Thatcher thought we’d be less cautious now that family and security know we’re together—and I’m starting to realize he was right. I didn’t even think twice, and Ishould’ve.

Farrow’s jaw muscle tics. “We’re in the middle of fucking nowhere at eight a.m.—the risk isnonexistent.”

“Not to him.” I gesture to Thatcher. “And I don’t want to burn that bridge. Not after he helpedus.”

Farrow combs two hands through his bleach-white hair. His nose flares, and then he half-heartedly nods. “Fine.” He watches me scroll through my contacts. “Who are youcalling?”

“Your father.” I find Dr. Keene’s number. “He keeps texting me to call him.”Now’s the time.I press the green button, and Farrow props his shoulder against the skeletal tree. He looks unconcerned but as curious asme.

“Moffy.” Dr. Keene answers on the first ring. “I’ve been trying to reachyou.”

“Sorry.” I lift the speaker to my mouth. “It’s beenhectic.”

Farrow mouths,don’t apologize.As though I’m being toonice.

I give him a middlefinger.

Farrow almost smiles, but he eyes the phone as his father says, “That’s not a problem. I heard you’ve been busy planning a meet-and-greettour.”

“Yeah.” I turn my back to the roaring wind. “And I get why you’re calling, but Farrow and I are happy, we’re adults, and I hope you can respect our decision to be together. Even if it involved somerisks.”

The line goesquiet.

Farrow pushes off the tree, brows knotting, and he comes to myside.

My voice is firm. “Dr.Keene?”

“You’re together?” he questions. “As in…dating?”

Holy.Shit.

I’m in a slow-mo car crash. I find myself sinking into a crouch, my face buried in one hand. Why the hell did I assume heknew?

Dear World, can you die from embarrassment? Sincerely, a dying or possibly already deadhuman.

“What happened?!” Donnelly shouts from thebus.

I quickly cup my hand over my phone’sspeakers.