Page 281 of Ruthless Court

Finally:

Hannah: That was suspiciously mature.

Me: Don’t tell Eli.

Hannah: I’m considering having it independently verified.

Me: Friday. Seven?

Another long pause.

Hannah: Seven.

My grin breaks loose.

Me: That means yes.

Hannah: Do not ruin this already.

Me: See you Friday, Bookworm.

Hannah: Proper date and you’re still calling me that?

I look through the bookstore window.

Used books.

Coffee.

Cat.

Terrible poetry.

Maybe one more thing needs fixing.

Me: See you Friday, Hannah.

No answer comes.

I’m still smiling when I start walking home.

* * *

Eli knows within fifteen minutes.

I don’t tell him.

That would require voluntarily sharing information, and I have standards.

He’s sitting on our couch with Noah when I walk into the suite.

Both look up.

Eli narrows his eyes.

“What?”

“Nothing.”