“Is this what it’s always like?”

“What do you mean?”

“When you’re with someone. This . . . talking, kissing, laughing, and nothing more. Is it normal?”

I prop my head up on one hand. “I dunno. I never did much of this with Abby. She was more into going out, being seen. And when we had conversations, it was mostly surface stuff. Or she would talk about herself, how she felt about others.” I frown. “It was always about her.”

She mimics my position so we’re eye to eye. “That sounds like her. So instead of talking you . . . just did other stuff?”

I know what she means by “other stuff.” I watch her face. Is she worried I’m not attracted to her?

“Abby and I didn’t have a huge physical relationship. I mean, we did other stuff, but not as much as you might think. She was busy doing other stuff with other people.” I reach out and trail a line down her jaw. “With you, it’s different. It’s not that I don’t want to do the other stuff with you. Clearly.” I gesture to the semi in my lap that won’t quit. “But this is good. This is more than enjoyable. For me.”

“Really?”

“Reese.” I cup her face in my hands, tracing her cheekbones with my thumbs. “I’m all in. Considering our past relationships, or lack thereof, I think it’s probably smart to go slow. And this is . . . nice. This is more than nice.”

Her responding smile is brilliant. “It is. But let’s not take too long on the rest.”

19

If you can’t do it with feeling, don’t.

—Patsy Cline

Reese

“We are stepping things up here, babies. Obstacle course under duress! There’s only two more Bedlam events and the score is three to two with Fitz Moreland in the lead!”

Scattered applause.

“Our audience gets to participate in the fun tonight. As you can see, we have an obstacle course of sorts set up here.”

It’s relatively unchanged from the setup for laser tag—everything has just been rearranged. And now there are two welcome mats set up next to each other. In front of the mats is a path of old tires that leads to a ramp, which leads to some kind of downward zip line through the yard. After that await two kiddie pools—one for each of us—filled with mud and some kind of stepping stones set up inside. Then a climbing wall at the end.

It doesn’t look too hard, actually.

“Not only do you have to get through the course, you have to do it all while keeping your egg safe.” He holds up two eggs. “And to make it even more exciting.” Jude holds up two pairs of shoes.

Not regular shoes. Heels.

I groan and Fitz laughs.

“To make it fun for you babies,” he yells over the crowd, “you all get water balloons to throw at our competitors.”

Beast carries out two giant buckets, which I presume contain the balloons.