Page 139 of River & Rue

I grab him in a hug. “Don’t make this awkward, you fucker.”

He chuckles. “All right. It’s been real, River. I’m glad we met.”

“Same. You have my number. Don’t be afraid to use it.”

I pound his back one more time, then release him. When I see the glassiness in his eyes, mine start stinging.

“Dammit, I told you not to make this awkward.”

He laughs, I laugh, and we both lift the collars of our T-shirts to our eyes.

“Aww, are you guys crying?”

Dan snags Maya by the shoulders and kisses her cheek. “Real men cry.”

Feeling Rue behind me, I lift my arm for her to snuggle against my side.

“It’s true. River cries all the time.”

I nod. “Especially when you⁠—”

Her hand smothers the rest of my sentence.

“Ignore him.”

I grin against her palm, then kiss it. With a glare of warning and twitching lips, she lowers her hand.

Maya gasps. “I almost forgot—Rue, did you ask Claudia about the cabins?”

We exchange a humored glance before Rue answers, “We did, yeah. Disappointingly, there’s no motive for their shittiness. She was legitimately shocked.”

Maya gapes. “What? How did she not know?”

I chuckle. “She’d never stepped foot in one until today. Apparently, Kirk assured her they were in great shape. He’s in big trouble.”

Rue smirks. “I’m sure he won’t mind the punishment.”

Dan shudders. “Gross.”

Maya laughs and pats his chest. “Hey, did you tell River?”

“Not yet.”

I look between them, then at Rue’s giant grin. “Tell me what?”

Maya glances at the Lodge’s closed front door, then scans the parking lot. The only cars left besides hers are Rue’s and mine. Once she confirms we’re alone—and that Kirk isn’t lurking in a bush—she looks at me.

“Claudia invited Dan and me to donate art pieces for the gala this fall. I think Jae was invited too. So we get to have a little PAC reunion in a few months.”

I grin. “That’s awesome. Congrats to both of you—your art definitely deserves the exposure.”

Dan looks at Maya, his eyes comically wide. “Did you hear that? River Ashburn likes our art. I have palpitations.”

Maya fans herself. “I might actually faint.”

I roll my eyes. “Fuck off.”

Rue laughs, a sound so beautiful I don’t care that it’s at my expense—but it also sparks a need to be alone with her as soon as possible.