Page 96 of No One But Us

ELLE

He holds my hand as we walk into the kitchen the next morning, and the laughter begins almost immediately.

“I think there was some kind of break-in on the street last night,” says Max.

For a moment I believe him, but when I turn, he’s grinning broadly.

“Yeah,” says Ginny. “I heard all the screaming. It sounded like someone was being murdered.”

“You know, Elle,” says Max thoughtfully, “if that whole broadcast thing doesn’t work out, I think you could totally make it in porn.”

“And now,” says James, turning his angry brows toward the table, “you’ve carried it too far.”

“You deserve it,” says Ginny. “I’m going to be scarred for life. On the bright side, it’s good that you finally lost your virginity.”

Max chortles at this. “Right. James hasn’t been a virgin since the two of you were learning to read.”

His laughter gets cut off by a sharp look from James. “It’s only 9 AM, and you’re already pissing me off,” he warns.

“Well, now that it’s out in the open,” says Max, grinning broadly, “I’ll go ahead and admit that all those friends who stayed here? I had them come in just to fuck with you. I was hoping you’d get so pissed off you’d admit to the whole thing.” He laughs. “I wish I had a picture of you that night, James. You were about to lose your shit.”

“Come on. It’s time for yoga,” Ginny tells Max. She turns to us. “There are waffles in foil on the stovetop. And just so we’re clear, the kitchen and that table are completely off-limits if you two can’t keep your hands off each other for an entire meal.”

I groan my embarrassment when they leave, but James is laughing silently, shoulders shaking as he tries to hold it in.

“Stop laughing,” I say. “It’s humiliating.”

“Not for me,” he says, encircling my waist and pulling me close. He plants a kiss on the top of my head. “And fortunately, now we both have lots of time to fill.”

Brian fired us for walking out during our shifts the other night. I can’t say either of us is all that broken up about it.

“What was that last bit Ginny said? I think she was suggesting the table or the counter?”

I laugh. “Yes. I’m pretty sure that’s what she was trying to say.”

He kisses me, a sweet kiss that slowly slides into one that is less sweet and more purposeful. He lifts me up onto the counter. “Then let’s start right here.”

Chapter 57

ELLE

Tuesday is the big day. I wake when it’s still dark and rest my hand on James’ chest, soothing myself with his even breathing and solidity. No matter how today turns out, I have him. It may take a while, but as long as I’m with him, I know everything will sort itself out eventually.

“What time is it?” he asks.

“Not even 6,” I whisper. “Go back to sleep.”

He pulls me into him, kissing my forehead. “Why are you up?”

“Nervous.” I sigh.

He rolls toward me, completely awake now, and pushes my hair back from my face. “I think it’s going to be okay,” he says. “I really do.”

I nod, wishing I felt as confident as he does.

“And worst case, we both drop out of school and go live in a cabin in the woods and forage for food until it all dies down,” he suggests. “And you’ll probably get pregnant because we have nothing to do in the cabin but have sex all day, and we’ll end up staying there like that hillbilly family on The Simpsons.”

“And here I was thinking the worst case was divided public opinion.”