When I come out, wash my hands, and head back into the coffee shop, there's no sign of Rex anywhere even though it's been all of a minute or two tops.
Of course there isn't.
But I realize my hands aren't shaking. My heart rate is normal. Rex just materialized in a bathroom like a protective ghost, and my primary emotion is... mild irritation?
Huh.
Six weeks ago, I might have had a panic attack. Or pulled my knife on him again. Now I'm just annoyed he disappeared before I could get a real answer out of him.
I'm not actually sure what that says about me. Or about him.
Jamie and I finish chatting and say our goodbyes outside the coffee shop, him bouncing away through the rain with promises to text me pictures of Cheeto's latest antics. The mask is safely tucked into my bag, wrapped in its tissue paper.
I wait until he's rounded the corner before pulling out my phone.
RAF
Coast is clear. Meet me at the car?
PHOENIX
On our way. Raf's paying.
RAF
I am NOT paying. How the fuck was your coffee almost $20?
PHOENIX
Because I'm not paying $10 for shitty coffee I won't drink?
RAF
Twenty fucking bucks is a Six Flags ticket
PHOENIX
Not anymore it's not!
I snort and shove my phone back in my pocket, heading toward where we parked. The rain has eased to that kind of mist that somehow gets you soaked anyway. My binder is starting to itch, and I'm already looking forward to getting home and peeling the damn thing off.
Phoenix and Rafael emerge from the coffee shop a minute later. Phoenix's manbun is starting to droop, strands of blond hair escaping to frame his face. Rafael has given up on the preppy act entirely and untucked half his polo.
"You look drained," I say when they reach me, a smirk tugging at my lips.
"Drained is one word for it," Rafael grumbles. "These khakis are cutting off blood flow to my fucking cock."
"The things I do for you," Phoenix adds, but he's smiling. That big, warm smile that makes his whole face light up. "Do you like the mask?"
"I love it, actually." I pat my bag. "It's perfect."
"Wait, Rex actually ordered a nice one?" Rafael's eyebrows shoot up. "On purpose?"
"Probably not," I admit, my grin widening.
We pile into the car, Rafael taking the driver's seat again while Phoenix folds himself into the back with me this time. His thigh presses against mine, warm even through the denim, and I don't move away.
"Speaking of Rex," I say as Rafael pulls out of the parking spot. "He showed up."