I’m this close to asking Peter about the sex party—whether he knew what he was getting us into, specifically—but this isn’t the time or place, and I’m not sure it matters anyway. We did what needed to be done. Opening up a new can of worms isn’t wise.

Our group says its goodbyes, and after the Olney contingent leaves, Solange draws me into the circle of people getting reacquainted with Cláudia and her family.

She places an arm around my waist and pulls me close. “This is Dean, my boyfriend.”

“He’s a liar,” Solange’s mother adds. Beside me, Solange stiffens, then her mother’s eyes bug out. “I mean, he’s a lawyer.”

“No, you were right the first time,” Rey says with a smirk.

Oh, yeah. We need to lock Tia Izabel away somewhere for the duration of their stay; if not, she’s liable to confess everything under the slightest duress. And Rey? He’s a damn jokester.

“So good to meet you, Dean,” Cláudia says.

“Likewise, ma’am.”

Cláudia leans toward Solange. “Ele é bonito.”

Solange covers her mouth with a fist and laughs into her hand. “She thinks you’re cute.”

“I like her already,” I whisper loud enough for everyone to hear.

Rodrigo shakes my hand. “Sorry we showed up early. One of my colleagues mentioned that seeing the DC tourist attractions this weekend would be a nightmare, so we decided to switch around our itinerary and head to New York City on Saturday instead.” He points at his wife. “And she thought it would be fun to surprise everyone.”

Beside me, Solange’s mother grumbles and talks to her sisters under her breath. “I bet she wanted to catch us with a dirty house. Humph.”

Oblivious to Izabel’s suspicions, Rodrigo adds: “And thanks for letting Ana and Carlos stay with you while we’re here. We appreciate your hospitality.”

I flinch slightly, then catch myself. Poker face, Dean. Poker face. What’s this about Ana and Carlos staying with us? I turn to Solange for an explanation, making every effort not to broadcast the panic coursing through my body.

“Just a few days, remember?” she says, curling into me and patting my chest. “Because we have two bedrooms.” She drops her voice to a whisper when she addresses Cláudia and Rodrigo. “He’s so busy. Sometimes I think whatever I say goes in one ear and out the other.”

Oh shit. She did mention some of her cousins would be bunking with her and Brandon. But now that I’m reprising my role as her fake boyfriend, they’re bunking with me. I’m going to need cue cards or a teleprompter to pull this off. “Sorry, you’re right.” I fake a forgetful gesture. “It slipped my mind, but we’re happy to have you.”