Page 123 of What We Bury

“It’s a critically acclaimed Netflix softcore Regency porn series and you know it.”

I shrug. “I have no idea what you mean.”

He tosses the dish towel and crosses the living room in three loose strides to drop onto the far end of the couch. With a groan, he props his feet on the coffee table.

“Cool,” he says. “Cool cool cool. We’re doing this.”

“Doing what?”

“Not making eye contact. Both pretending we’re here for the costumes.”

“The costumes are very good,” I point out.

“Sure. The costumes are spectacular. I love an empire waist. And let’s not forget those sideburns, they deserve their own award.”

I bite my lip to keep from grinning. On screen, two people in elaborate clothing are exchanging meaningful looks across a ballroom. I’ve seen this episode. I know what’s coming and I know roughly when.

Milo knows too. He has gone very, very still on the far end of the couch.

“What’s this one about?” he asks.

“A Duke and a Lady. They’re dancing.”

“And?”

“They have a complicated relationship.”

“Mmhmm.” His gaze is locked on the screen.

“Lots of tension,” I add.

“I can tell from the close up of the kissing.”

“Tasteful tension, though.”

He doesn’t answer. We watch for a while in silence—long enough for me to notice he’s gone unusually quiet. His arm rests along the back of the couch. His fingers stay still. Every so often the music swells and he takes a slow, deliberate sip of his wine like he needs something to do.

I watch him not look at me.

He’s good at it. He’sverygood at it. He hasn’t turned his head in five minutes. Whatever’s left of dinner—the confession, the support hands, theall of youI can’t take back—is sitting between us like a third person on the couch, and we’re both pretending not to see it.

Onscreen, the Duke and the new Duchess find their way to bed.

Milo’s jaw works. Just once.

I bite the inside of my cheek but it’s no use.

“Sage?”

“Mm?” I ask, my shoulders shaking with laughter.

He turns toward me slowly, his gaze narrowed with suspicion. “You picked the smutty episode on purpose, didn’t you?”

“I have no idea what you’re referring to.”

“Yes, you do.”

“No, I don’t.”