Page 40 of Say My Name

She knows something. My sister-in-law has spent too many years married to a Vale to be fooled by my carefully arranged composure.

“You okay?” she asks.

“Fine.”

“Sure you are.”

She could press. Instead, she touches my arm and carries the platter into the house. She noticed, and I know she’ll remember it.

I retreat to the drink table.

My parents host this barbecue whenever Cliff and Rachel bring the kids to Chicago for their spring visit. Family friends come and go all afternoon, along with enough people from Cliff’s and my college circles that no one remembers who was originally invited by whom.

Marcus materialized an hour ago and immediately found the beer.

He’s another one of Cliff’s college friends, which means our social circles have overlapped for years. I know him well enough to brace myself for the casual flirtation that’s coming next.

He joins me now and lifts the lid of the cooler. “Your father hid the good beer again.”

“He calls it strategic storage.”

“He watched me take one earlier.”

“That’s why he moved it.”

Marcus glances beneath the table. “I respect the challenge.”

“You’re thirty-seven.”

“And thriving.”

“You’re crawling under a folding table at my parents’ house.”

He emerges with a beer in his hand. “I contain multitudes.”

I laugh despite myself.

He offers me the bottle, and I lift my iced tea.

“Still no fun?” he asks.

“I’m having plenty.”

“Standing alone and organizing the drink station?”

“I moved one stack of cups.”

“By size.”

“They were a mess.”

Marcus smiles and leans a shoulder against the table. He has broad shoulders, brown hair, and enough confidence to flirt without needing me to reward him for it.

“You look good, Elena.”

“Thank you.”

“I was hoping for something warmer.”