The dormitory had a communal washroom at the end of the hall they would all need to share. Patrick thought the shiny white tiles looked nice, but Gwen’s nose wrinkled at the sight of the urinals. Stalls provided privacy for the toilets, but the washroom was crude compared to what she had in her home.

“Hot water!” Liam said with approval, twisting the tap on one of the sinks. Hot water was an unheard-of luxury in the neighborhoods where Patrick and Liam lived, and the thought of a piping hot shower tonight was appealing.

Gwen fidgeted, and Patrick finally asked her what was wrong.

She nodded to the toilet stall. “I need to use the facilities. Can you both step outside?”

Liam was still fiddling with the hot water. “What’s your problem? The toilets have doors.”

“I would prefer a little more privacy,” Gwen said delicately.

“Don’t worry,” Liam snickered. “Go ahead and let one rip if you want. I won’t tell anyone.”

Gwen’s face turned bright red, and she stepped forward to jab a finger in Liam’s face. “That’s exactly the sort of tacky thing you can’t say in polite company. I really shouldn’t have to explain this to you, Liam.”

“Look, Mother Superior, I’m a normal man, and this is how normal people talk.”

“It’s not how Blackstones talk.”

Patrick didn’t want to be the mediator between these two, but it appeared to be his role. “Liam, out,” he ordered. “From now on, Gwen gets to use the washroom by herself, and you need to knock before entering.”

Liam made quite a production as he turned off the taps and took forever to dry his hands, but he left, and Patrick followed him out.

“That woman drives me nuts,” Liam grumbled as the door slammed behind them. “She nitpicks everything I do and acts like she walks on water when she’s no better than the rest of us.”

Liam continued to list Gwen’s flaws as they walked down the hall. He complained about everything. The fussiness of her house, the way she dressed, the way she covered her nose with a handkerchief in the train station. When he insulted the way she didn’t show her teeth when she smiled, Patrick had heard enough. He grabbed both of Liam’s shoulders and shoved him up against the wall, pinning him in place.

“She sometimes drives me nuts too,” he admitted. “Her compassion. Her valor. Her willingness to bend over backward to do what’s right, even when it isn’t easy. And, Liam, nothing about dealing with you has been easy. I adore that woman. Do you hear me? Get it through your thick skull that I’m not going to stand back while you keep lobbing insults at the woman I adore. Got it?”

Liam looked appalled as understanding sank in. “You and her?” he choked out.