Page 126 of Not Dating Material

“We are,” I hurry to answer. “Just wanted to let everyone know about us, and now that we have, and murder has been threatened, and Madden’s ego has been knocked down a peg—” Gabe sniggers. “—I think we’re ready to get on with it.”

“Yes, let’s do,” Elle says.

Madden crosses his arms over his bare chest. “Nuh-uh. You’re only staying if you pick up every note.”

She pouts. “Can’t I just replace it all with real money to fight over instead?”

“Nope.” Madden pops his P. “I’m going to thoroughly enjoy you scrambling around on the floor, princess.”

She flips him off and, with zero finesse, drops to her knees to scoop the paper up.

I turn to Seven and find him already watching me. Those kind eyes of his will never not make me melt. “That went well.”

“It did.”

“Even if Xander stole your thunder.”

An indulgent smile crosses his face. “Kinda his thing. Being all up in my business.”

“And you know I’m okay with that, right?”

“Of course. We wouldn’t be doing this if you weren’t.” Then Seven throws a quick look over to where everyone is bickering and takes my hand. “You’re allowed to speak up though. If Xander gets too much, or is too in our business, or does something that makes you uncomfortable, that’s okay for you to say. This is our relationship, not his. The only thing I ask is that you never try to stop us being friends. Everything else we can handle.”

“After what happened last time someone tried to separate you?” I scowl. “I will never do that to him. Or you. And considering how needy I am, it’s nice to know that I have you both.”

Arms suddenly wrap around me, and Seven’s bemused expression strays over my shoulder.

“Listening to all that, huh?” he asks.

“Of course.” Xander’s voice is right by my ear.

“And what did you hear?”

“That Molly’s needy, and he loves me.”

Seven looks like he’s praying for strength. “And the rest?”

Xander shrugs. “Something about being nosy and annoying. I don’t know, it wasn’t important.”

“Z …”

“Fine.” He huffs. “I have to respect your relationship. But Jesus fuck, I already knew that. Put it in my diary and everything.”

I glance back at him. “You have a diary.”

“If you play your cards right, I’ll let you read it one day.”

“Interesting …”

Seven sighs. “You do know that playing your cards right means ganging up on me, don’t you?”

“Oh yeah, I got that.”

Xander laughs, and Seven grabs me, dragging me away from Xander and into his lap.

“My Molly.”

His.

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