Page 123 of End Game

Alexis nearly spits out her coffee.

Eventually, I ask about her ring.

She holds her hand out. The stones catch the pale light from the window, different colors crowded together in a setting that somehow makes them look like they belong exactly where they are.

“It’s their birthstones, with mine in the middle,” she explains.

“That’s really fucking sweet.”

“They did well.” Her smile goes soft before she draws her hand back.

“So two weddings means two dresses?”

“Obviously.”

“That explains everything,” I tease with a smile.

She grins. “Georgia, my best friend, which is good, because occasionally I forget I have a job.”

“I thought you wanted to forget about weddings today.”

“You asked about the ring. I didn’t have a choice.”

I hold up both hands. “Fair.”

For a minute we sip coffee in relative silence.

“Can I ask you something about the wedding that isn’t about flowers or dresses?” I ask.

“Sure.”

“Does marrying Holden mean he’s your primary?”

Alexis studies me for a moment. “That’s not really how we describe it, no. Our dynamic is significantly different than yours, though.”

Her head tips a little. “Was that part of the family meeting?”

“A lot of it.” I shift my cup between my hands. “Griffin and I are primaries. Micah and Dex are, too. It’s practical priorities, mostly. Who you’re building certain parts of your life around. Which makes sense, except my brain sometimes makes it seem like everybody else gets whatever’s left.”

“But that’s not true. That’s not what they’re getting.”

“No.” The answer comes quickly. “At least that’s not what I want. Ronan doesn’t even want the things that would really come out of being a primary. He was pretty clear about that.”

“Then I’d start by believing him.”

I make a face, and she smiles without taking it back.

“You can check in again,” she adds. “But you don’t have to convince him he should want something because you’d want it in his shoes.”

Sighing, I lean back in my chair.

“I told you, Cami, managing multiple men is a kind of mental and emotional labor most people don’t understand.”

“I might be trying too hard.”

“I might have experience.”

“So, why was it Holden for the legal marriage?”