The apartment was loud with laughter as Elias poured more wine like he owned the place, while Renee sat comfortably on the couch and Valeria scrolled through the comments with the focus of someone collecting evidence.
Eliana sat beside Nicky, close enough that his arm rested around her shoulders. Her cheeks already hurt from smiling, but for the first time that day, the attention felt almost harmless.
"Oh my God," Elias said, laughing as he looked at his phone. "Someone said, Nicky Saint-Claire kneeling was not on my bingo card."
Renee gasped dramatically. "He has knees and a girlfriend. Shocking."
Eliana laughed and leaned into Nicky. His arm tightened around her, and for a while, it felt warm and easy, like they could survive being watched as long as they were together.
