Page 269 of Sorrow & Strangers

Rafe comes back downstairs. His wide smile is annoying, but I find myself smiling with him. It’s not usual for him to seem so naturally happy, and it’s nice to see. He does need to be careful, though.

I hand him his protein shake and I take a drink of mine as we bid Alice goodbye and head to the gym, the early morning cloaked in winter’s chill.

Rafe whistles as we walk, and I glance at him. Even his step has a little more spring.

“I take it things went well?”

“What makes you say that?” Rafe asks, glancing at me.

“You’re whistling.”

“Just a good day.” Rafe shrugs.

I stop walking, and Rafe looks at me. “Rafe. Just be careful. Okay?”

Rafe’s smile falters a little. “I’m always careful.”

Not when it comes to Mira. I’ve seen evidence of that already. “You can’t let Annabeth see you with Mira. You need to let the dust settle a little after you break up with her. If that’s still your plan.”

“I’ve already broken up with her, but I’m not planning on flaunting Mira and me in front of her.”

I nod. “Listen, I get this school seems big, but it’s not,” I say, knowing from experience. I still find myself ducking and diving to avoid Brett and Rick. “What if Annabeth sees you in the corridor? Or walking home? Or at Mira’s place?”

Rafe’s cheeks flush guiltily, and he mumbles something under his breath.

“What?” I ask, quirking a brow.

Rafe looks away, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck. “They might live together.”

I blink. “Who?”

Rafe throws me a bland look. “Who do you think?”

I frown, and then it clicks. But wait . . . No, it can’t be . . . “Mira and . . . Holy fuck, Rafe!” I gape at him. “They live together?”

Rafe grimaces. “Yeah.” He looks around. “Also, keep your voice down.”

“What the fuck?” I whisper-shout, but then another thought occurs to me. “Wait, where were you last night, then?”

Rafe looks at me like it should be obvious, and I just blink at him.

“Rafael Samael Morningstar. Tell me right now you did not fuck Mira in her shared apartment with your barely ex-girlfriend.”

Rafe blinks, and I don’t know how he has the gall to look surprised. “You make it sound so dirty.”

“You did!” I gape at him, scandalized.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Was Annabeth home?”

“No.” He looks away. “Well, not at first.”

I stare at him, my mouth opening and closing like a fish as I try to figure out what to say.

“Only at the end! So I snuck out the window.” When I just continue to stare at him, he turns even redder. “What?!” But I’m completely dumbfounded. “Say something,” he says, shaking me lightly.

“I . . .” I blink, shaking my head. “Let’s just go.” I link my arm through his and pull him toward the gym.