Page 162 of What We Brave
"Not going anywhere." I press my thumb against her shin. "Promise."
Her breathing evens out within a minute.
I look at Blake over her sleeping form. He looks back.
"So what's for dinner?" I ask.
"Do I look like I have any plan to get up?"
"Not fair. I made breakfast. It's your turn. I'm thinking roast beef and mashed potatoes with a side of caesar salad."
"Sounds fucking amazing. You do it."
"Nobody wants that. Admit it, a night at the emergency room would put a real damper on our weekend." I pat her shin under the blanket. "Right, Laine?"
Nothing. Dead asleep.
"She's out," Blake says.
"Yeah." I lean my head back against the couch. "We should probably let her sleep."
"Probably."
Neither of us moves.
"Tacos?" I say.
"Sure."
"The good place or the bad place?"
"There's only one place, Reid."
"Right, but are we going to get the good version of that place or the bad version? Because last time?—"
"I'm not having this conversation again."
"You never want to have the important conversations."
His mouth twitches. "Tacos are fine."
"See? Was that so hard?"
Laine mumbles something from his lap. We both freeze.
She rolls over, pulls the blanket tighter, and goes still again.
Blake raises an eyebrow at me.Keep it down.
I mouthtacosat him and give a thumbs up.
He shakes his head. But he's smiling.
31
LAINE
"Don't laugh," I warn them as I put the pillow on the kitchen chair and ease myself down.
