Janet nodded, still clearly upset, but Ryann couldn’t think of a thing to say to make her feel better. She let Maddie steer her out of the room, and they walked back through the crowds they’d only recently come through before, passing Jai and Stuart at the bar, neither of whom noticed them.

Outside, the air was now distinctly chilly, the earlier warmth dying with the setting sun. Maddie was wearing her blazer, but as it was lightweight, neither of them was really dressed for a February evening. Maddie, seeing her shiver, pulled her closer under one arm and then led her around the edge of the restaurant to the alley. Ryann had a flash of their earlier encounter in an alley just like this one right before their first time and warmed slightly at the memory. Maddie, however, was still all sad eyes and bleak grimaces when she stepped in front of her, taking her hands. Maddie chewed on her lip before finally speaking.

“Sorry to strong-arm you. I just had to get out of there for a minute. And I wanted to say that…I’m sorry. About that whole conversation with Janet.”

“What? Why are you sorry?”

Maddie sighed. “I guess I hadn’t really thought about what we would say. When people asked about us, I mean. I should have anticipated it, especially tonight, since most of these people didn’t know yet. I was surprised and didn’t react well.”

She was still confused, and Maddie, apparently thinking she was upset, stared at the ground and squeezed her hands. “Anyway, I’m sorry.”

She let her hands go and stepped closer and waited until Maddie met her eyes. “You don’t have to apologize. I clammed up, too. People were bound to ask, and I couldn’t think of anything to say.”

Maddie was working at her lip with her teeth again. Hating to see her so anxious, she ran her fingers along the edge of Maddie’s jaw. Maddie shuddered, closing her eyes, and leaned her face into Ryann’s palm. When Maddie opened her eyes, heat filled them, a low ember anyway, smoldering. She pulled Ryann into a rough kiss that sent fire racing through her veins. They might have stayed there in that freezing alley groping each other and making out, but someone wolf-whistled at them, and they jumped apart. Whoever had done it was gone by the time she looked, but then, seeing Maddie’s guilty expression, she couldn’t help but laugh, which sent both of them into a fit of giggles.

“Hope it wasn’t anyone we know,” Maddie finally said.

“Same.”

Maddie’s smile died a little again, her eyes sad again. “So are we okay?”

“Of course we are, Maddie.”

“I just don’t want you to feel any pressure about any of this—”