Page 52 of Mine

I gave a stiff nod, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. I was going to fire my publicist the second I got home. He thought articles in the Times would help push McConnell into signing off on my project. Instead, I was getting recognized in a town I’d never stepped foot in before.

I tried to think of something polite to say, but all I could focus on was how I could feel Blue’s presence next to me like static.

“West,” Blue murmured, sliding closer. She slipped her arm around mine like it was second nature, her body brushing up against mine. “Let’s catch up with everyone, they left without us.”

I glanced down at her. Her eyes were locked on the woman, and for a second, the possessiveness in them didn’t look fake at all. But this was what we agreed on. It was nothing more than public affection, a united front. She was just a damn good actress.

Still, I was grateful.

The woman backed off slightly, suddenly realizing that the woman next to me was more than just a friend, she was mine.

“They went that way,” she said, pointing down the hall. “Right at the end, then through the door with Loxley’s name on it. I’ve gotta finish setting up.”

Blue tugged me along and we walked together, hand in hand, even though we didn’t need to. Even though no one was around to see.

“You get that a lot?” she asked as we walked.

“No,” I muttered. “Not unless they’re confusing me with someone actually famous.”

“Good,” she said quickly. “Not sure I’m the type of girl who’d enjoy other women batting their lashes at my husband.”

She bumped her shoulder into me, and I smiled. It was an actual, real smile that felt like it had been waiting behind my ribs.

“It’s a good thing you were there,” I said. “Especially since that whole interaction was your fault.”

“My fault?”

“My suit is like my cape. Without it, I lose all my powers.”

She laughed and the sound of it hit me in the chest like a sucker punch. I loved making her laugh. I loved seeing her relax into something good, even if it was short-lived. Even if it would all come crashing down.

Eventually, we made it to the lounge where the rest of the family had gathered. Leather couches, snacks on a table, the hum of excitement in the air. Loxley practically launched herself off the arm of the couch, where she was sitting next to Miles, to hug me.

“I can’t believe you made it to a show!”

When she pulled back, she turned to Blue and opened her arms. “I’m so glad to finally meet you.”

“Are you, though?” Miles called from behind her, grinning.

“Of course I am.” Loxley shot him a death glare.

“Nice to meet you,” Blue said with a smile, though I caught the way Miles’s teasing hung in the air a little too long.

“There’s room on the couch,” Loxley said. “I get to hang with y’all until showtime.”

There wasn’t much space, though, so I motioned for Blue to take the seat next to Miles, before something inside me recoiled. I didn’t like the idea of her sitting beside him. Didn’t care that he was madly in love with Loxley. Didn’t care that it didn’t make sense.

It still bothered me.

So I sat down next to Miles and pulled Blue into my lap like she belonged there. She settled easily into me, arms curling around mine, and I wrapped myself around her without even thinking.

Loxley talked about how the tour had gotten easier since she’d met Miles, but how excited she was to go home.

“Please tell me you’re writing more music,” Jesse bounced in her seat next to Easton. It was no secret that Jesse was a big Loxley Adams fan.

“A little,” Loxley said, then stood and pulled two sticks and a ball of yarn from her bag. “But I’ve been working on this too!”

“Hairy sushi?” I asked.