Page 98 of I Think They Love You

“Gauche.”

Denz almost loses it. Kami rotates to face him. “What about you?”

“What about me?”

Her gaze slides to Braylon, who’s dutifully listening to Warner’s high school football coach recite how he set them up. When Denz doesn’t follow, she hisses, “Seriously?As much as you harass me about Suraj, you never thought about your own relationship?”

Denz wants to give Kami the easy answer:No. Never again. He believed in The One once. He’ll be damned if he gets burned twice.

A beat passes.

In his periphery, Braylon’s chatting with Kim and Connor at the table next to theirs. Denz wants to hate how gorgeous he is. His stupid, sometimes British, accent. Everything about this version of Braylon. But he can’t.

To Kami, Denz says miserably, “Sometimes.”

Kami squeezes his hand on the table like she knows whatever he’s not saying. How could she? Even Denz can’t figure out what’s happening in his head these days.

Eventually, the speeches end. The music is cranked up. Denz relocates to the bar. He watches the world’s most rhythmless dancing over another martini. On his right, Kami triple-verifies the checklist on her phone. She has the feral look of a woman desperate for a glass of wine and an excuse to kick off her heels. That’s his cue to step in.

But she turns to Braylon and says, “You know what I could use?”

Braylon raises a curious eyebrow.

“A dance.”

“I’d love to,” Braylon says as Denz stares, wide-eyed.

“Wait, what the—”

“Fantastic,” Kami cuts in, side-eyeing Denz before grabbing Braylon’s hand. She leads him to where couples are swaying near the fountain.

Denz blinks. There’s a sudden tightness in his chest as Braylon twirls Kami around. A burn in his belly that can only be the alcohol when Kami tosses her head back, laughing. From here, their banter appears natural, as if they haven’t missed a beat, even though it’s been years since they interacted like this. It’s everything he and Braylon haven’t been so far:effortless.

“Wow,” Jordan says, sidling up. “He looks happy.”

“Who?” Denz whispers.

“Braylon, obviously.”

Denz can’t take his eyes off them. Braylon’s clumsy attempt to dip Kami. The way they keep tripping over each other’s feet.

“Bet he’s missed this. Being around us,” Jordan comments.

Denz gives a sharp laugh. “Why would he?”

It’s ridiculous. Their family’s chaotic. There’s never a moment off. Why would anyone voluntarily be a part of this?

Jordan shrugs. Then, the corners of his mouth lift. “I don’t know, cuz. Probably the same reason you look so jealous watching them.”

Denz wheezes.Jealous? Of what?He doesn’t care that Kami’s giggling into Braylon’s chest. The stupid grin Braylon’s wearing.

Jordan swigs his vodka soda with lime, eyeing him with a devious interest that should only be reserved for Auntie Cheryl, not his favorite cousin.

“I don’t—I’m not.” Denz shakes his head. “It’sfake,remember?”

“Sure.” Jordan pats his arm. “Keep telling yourself that.”

And Denz does. While finishing his drink. For the long minute he catches the aunties whispering to each other, studying Braylon and Kami from a few feet away.

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