I take my hand from Sean’s elbow and entwine my fingers with his. He glances down at our clasped hands, then smiles, his hand getting wet when he does. It’s clammy and gross, but also kind of sweet? I cannot explain how my brain knows sweaty palms should be disgusting but my human body thinks it’s more than all right.

Dominic notices, and his frown deepens. His hand is already in Miguel’s, so what’s he got to be so upset about?

Miguel looks at our hands too, then his eyes travel farther down and land at my feet. “You are totally rocking those shoes.” He sounds genuine, and it makes me warm up to him. His look and tone aren’t judgmental like the theater person when we first walked up. They think I didn’t notice, but I’ve been trained since birth to watch out for humans and their shifty eyes, so joke’s on them. I don’t know why the mer magic the Elders performed for the Journey made my body male, but I’m going to display this form how I want while I’ve got it, whether or not that fits into human society’s very limited options.

“Thanks,” I say, and lean into Sean. “Sean got them for me.”

Sean’s eyes go wide, and I nudge him like, Play along, buddy, come on. It’s called improvisation, something Drop was great at, entertaining the whole community with their comedy routines. Their imitation of an octopus inking when they’re scared is killer. Sean’s going to have to keep up if he wants to make this relationship look real and show Dominic just what he’s missing.

“Oh, yeah,” Sean says. “Gift giving is my love language.”

I have no idea what he’s talking about, and he sounds way too formal. We’re going to have to work on that.

“Plus, he totally surprised me with this date,” I add.

“That’s interesting,” Dominic says. “We always used to come here together.” His accusing eyes never leave Sean’s.

“What, like you have a claim on movies?”

“Oh, no, that’s not what he meant,” Miguel says apologetically. He looks to Dominic, who’s still staring at Sean. “Maybe we should just go.”

But Sean waves his hand, trying to act unaffected. “No, no, please, it’s quite all right.” His voice has this weird affectation to it.

Floundering again.

“Well, it was great meeting you, Miguel.” I glare down at Dominic, who’s a good two inches shorter than me with these heels on. “You too. See you guys in there.”

Now it’s my turn to lead Sean stumbling along beside me. I see his head turn just the tiniest bit, but I squeeze his hand and say between my teeth, “Don’t you dare look back. If you do, they totally win. It’s you and me now, remember?”