Page 151 of Until I Own You

“Sonia,” she says through the door. “And company.”

Seth glances back at me.

Without words, I return my hand to his.

We’re doing this.

We are going to love out in the open.

And if someone doesn’t like it, well, fuck them.

Seth gives me a reassuring smile. Then, he calls out, “Come in.”

Our friends come inside. Sonia and Laney, followed by Jack, Mason, Nate, and Abigail.

“Are you doing okay?” Sonia asks.

I tuck my hand around Seth’s bicep. “Yes. I’m okay now.”

“How’s your hand, dude? Gave that guy what for…” Mason says with a nod toward Seth.

Seth holds up his hand. “Dislocated, but otherwise fine.”

“And you’re…ya know?” Abigail’s eyes flick between us.

I lean my head against Seth’s arm, look up at him with tired eyes.

You take this one.

Seth might be able to read my mind. “Yeah, we’re, uh, we’re together. I mean, it’s new, but we’re trying it on for size.”

The room is quiet as they stare.

“I know, it’s confusing and a little weird, but–”

“Oh, my gosh, was that appointment you had at the Underground with Seth?!” Abigail asks in a voice a little too loud for the room.

My jaw falls. “Um…”

“Oh, so this was the whole reason you wanted the Underground rented out!” Nate says, snapping and pointing at Seth.

“It’s all coming together!” Laney says with a broad grin.

They all start bickering about the details and clues they’ve gathered over the past month and a half, leaving Seth and me as passive participants in the reveal of our own relationship.

Except no one is grossed out or concerned. Everyone is smiling. Delighted.

Sonia and I lock eyes. She looks exhausted. Probably didn’t expect to be out so late and so newly pregnant too. But she manages a smile. “We need to talk,” she mouths.

I grit my teeth, smiling in apology.

Seth leans over, brushing my forehead with his lips. “Not too bad as far as responses go, huh?”

I smile up at him. “Not at all.”

Somehow, one of the worst nights of my life has also managed to become one of the best.

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