Page 206 of Sorrow & Strangers

“We’re not having sex.”

Alice gawks at me. “You? You’re not having sex with the delicious, tall, dark, and handsome male who worships the ground you walk on and has for the past year and a half?”

“Correct. We’re friends.” It’s the first lie I’ve told since arriving here, and it’s so foreign to me now after all the truths I’ve allowed myself, but this isn’t a malicious lie. It’s just that I don’t know how else to describe what we are when I am not sure myself.

Alice sniffs the air. “Your pheromones are calling you a liar. Plus, you were making out like horny teenagers.”

“We weren’t making out. We’ve not even kissed.” Yet.

“I saw you kissing,” Alice says, rolling her eyes.

“Okay. We kiss, just not on the lips.”

Alice frowns. “Why?”

“I don’t know who he is, Al.”

Alice shifts to face me. “Okay . . . but that’s not stopping you from feeling more for him.”

I look away. Some of the doubt and panic I’ve not felt since we arrived creep back in, and I hate it. I want to stay in my bubble of excitement and no consequences. Those issues and questions are for future Summer to deal with.

“It’s just me,” Alice says, taking my hand.

“Have you seen Rafe?” I ask, looking around the suite.

Alice frowns at me, but then sighs and shakes it off, smiling widely. “I have gossip. Guess who was here and only wearing his shirt when I got back earlier?”

“Red?”

“Yup! Looks like they were having a full-on sex-a-thon.”

“Holy fuck.”

“All day, Sum!”

I squeal and wiggle on the couch, thrilled for him. “So where is he now?”

Alice points to his room.

“Is she in there?” I whisper.

Alice shakes her head. “She left about forty-five minutes ago, I’m guessing to get ready for tonight.” Alice glances at his room and slips off the couch, stealthily creeping toward his door. I am always amazed at how quiet she can be when she tries. I guess it is the whole predator thing.

“Al,” I warn, and she glances at me innocently over her shoulder. “Leave him be.” I can already tell she’s planning to corner and grill him. Knowing Rafe, he won’t be ready to talk about it.

“But—”

“Alice,” I snap, and she stops, crossing her arms petulantly. “Go get ready for the ball.” She grumbles and then slinks away to her room, and I go to mine to take a shower. A freezing cold one.

Alice and I wait in the living room for Rafe, both of us dressed. I’m in my white angel lingerie set, and Alice is in her matching devil one. I primp my feathers as we wait, but Alice is not a patient person.

“Hurry up!” she calls, slamming her fist on Rafe’s door.

Rafe opens the door, wearing just his sweatpants. “What?”

Alice frowns. “Why aren’t you dressed?”

Rafe blinks, looking at Alice’s outfit and then at mine. “What are you guys wearing?”