My fingers tangled in hers as we headed to breakfast one Saturday morning. We’d picked up shakes from Commissary on our way to the cafeteria. Oberi trotted alongside us, panting happily. Ava and I had groomed his husky fur together this morning while we wrote new lyrics. He’d drooled all over my knee. I didn’t think Oberi had ever been happier.
Hell, I didn’t thinkanyof us had. I mean, Ava and I were writingmusicagain.
Sure, the Warden was still conceiving secret plans, and the Underground was still operating. Odd things were happening inside the Institute, like how Professor Takahashi had returned— though we had yet to find him. But it didn’t seem to matter what darkness and secrets were brewing inside the Institute, because whatever it was, Ava and I could handle it together.
We filled our plate, and Ava snagged a few extra bacon strips for Oberi. She led me over to our usual table, where our friends sat.
“Somebodylooks happy today,” Ivy remarked in a teasing tone.
“What’s he talking about?” I asked.
Chancey chuckled. “We know the walk of shame when we see it.”
My cheeks flamed. Ava and I had a wonderful morning, and it was the reason we were late to breakfast. But how could they tell? Could vampires sense it?
“Stop picking on my husband,” Ava insisted playfully. She brushed her fingers through my hair, straightening the strands.That’s how Ivy knew, I realized.
I scowled. “Pidge, you could’ve told me I had sex hair before we left the dorms.”
“I didn’t notice!” she cried.
“Or youwantedus to know,” Kallie teased.
“Like you guys don’t know we’re doing it,” Ava laughed. “We’re married, for the ancestors’ sake!”
“Yeah, and you won’t let us forget it,” Marcus cracked.
“What do you mean?” I demanded.
“Sir— I mean, Charlie,” Eddie said. “You should see the shirtyour wifeis wearing today.”
It was the weekend, so we weren’t required to wear our uniforms. But Ava was just wearing a t-shirt. I’d felt it this morning when we cuddled. It wasn’t anything special… or was it?
“Pidge, are you going to get yourself into trouble?” I asked.
“No!” she assured me. “It covers everything.”
“And what’s on it?” I questioned.
Ava sucked a breath, like she was embarrassed. “It saysWifey for Lifey.”
I burst into laughter. It felt so good to laugh. “That’swhat you guys are concerned about?”
“You don’t think it’s… tacky?” Ava asked.
If anything, I found it hot as hell— all I wanted to do was take her back to our room and rip it off her.
Ava leaned into me and whispered, “You can do that later.”
I smirked. The way my thoughts slipped through sometimes was starting to grow on me.
“Can you guys not talk about that in front of me?” Ez demanded. “She’s my sister!”
“And I’m not a little kid anymore,” Ava shot back. “Go suck a dick, Ez.”
I’d already finished my shake, so I reached out to take a sip of Ava’s. I nearly gagged the moment I tasted it. “Ancestors, how much peanut butter did you put into this?”
“As much as I could! I love peanut butter!” Ava exclaimed.
