I look away in time to see Annabel disappear through the back-patio door and I follow.

Once I make it inside, I can’t find her in the living room. She’s not in the kitchen either.

But Duke is.

“Einstein!” He’s there, in my space, cup in hand. “Come have a drink. I bet you need one.”

“Maybe. I’ll be back in a sec.”

Where the heck did Annabel go? I check down the hall in the bathroom but she’s not in the line and there’s no way she would be in there already with the number of people waiting.

The door to our room is still locked, so, following a hunch, I head down the back of the house where Jude’s and Beast’s rooms are. I’m sure they are locked up like ours, but Annabel and Jude have something going on, despite what she says. Maybe he gave her a key?

As soon as I turn down the darkened, empty hallway, I know Jude never gave Annabel a key.

Because she’s crouched in front of his door and trying to break in.

“Annabel,” I scold.

She jumps and turns, a hand to her chest. “Holy baby Jesus, Reese! You scared me!”

“Good. What in cotton-pickin’ Judas are you doing?”

“Nothing.” She stands straighter, raising her chin at me.

“Why are you trying to break into Jude’s room?”

“I was looking for Mr. Bojangles.”

I roll my eyes. “You were not.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Don’t try and turn this around on me, I was following you.”

“Why were you following me?” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“Because I wanted to talk to you about . . .” I smack her on the arm. “Quit trying to change the subject! You are too good at this verbal swordplay.”

“I know.” She smirks. “And while you excel at almost everything, subterfuge is clearly not your strong point. So, what did you want to talk about?” She steps closer, all business. “How you and my brother almost made out in front of a crowd of onlookers?”

Warmth flashes up my neck, like a cup of fire thrown in my face. “Did everyone see?”

“Only people with thermal-sensor capabilities on their phones.”

“How . . . what . . . why?”

“Don’t worry, I think there were only a few people who have that app. But I do think Abby was watching over someone’s shoulder.”

I swallow. “Are you telling me I nearly had my first kiss in front of a hundred people in a backyard while playing laser tag . . . for a bedroom to sleep in . . . and is this how this is supposed to work?” My voice escalates as I speak.

“Calm down, Tootsie Roll. Not many people saw. And first kiss? Girl, you need to get some.”

“I’m just confused. I don’t know what to do. I’m not sure I can do casual.”

“Well, Fitz doesn’t do casual either. But what does it matter? Do you like him?”