That was when Islington said, “Lion?” “Yes?” “Exactly how long have you and Pierce held an understanding with one another?” Well. I have had moments of dreaded advent in my life. But none that prepared me for the arrival of Islington’s question. We both kept our gazes on Pierce and Hawkes. “A few months now, since we acknowledged, uh, our feelings,” I answered at length, stepping around the words like they were shattered glass.
