He’s intense

Later that night, after Marcus had unpacked and shut his door, John and Claire were in bed. Lights off, ceiling fan spinning above them.

“He’s intense,” John said quietly.

Claire laughed. “He’s interesting.”

“Yeah, that’s one word for it.”

A pause.

“You were kind of flirty,” he said. Careful tone. Not accusing. Just putting it out there.

Claire rolled to face him. Even in the dark, he could feel her smirk.

“Was I?”

“A little.”

“Didn’t think I was.”

“You smiled at everything he said.”

“He was funny.”

John hesitated. “You don’t usually act like that.”

“Like what?”

“You know what I mean.”

She slid a hand across his chest. “Are you jealous?”

He didn’t answer right away.

“No. I just noticed.”

She kissed his shoulder, soft.

“He’s going to be around a lot. You sure you’re okay with this?”

John swallowed.

“Yeah.”

“Even if he flirts?”

“You’ll tell him to back off.”

“What if I don’t?”

His heart thumped once, heavy.

“Then I guess I’ll see what happens.”

Claire smiled against his skin. “Good answer.”