"Not hardly. Best thing I ever did was shrug that woman off my shoulders. Next to you, of course." She hooked her fingers through his again, looking awkward. "I--um. Just imagine I said something soppy here. I love you."

"Imagine it?" Andre asked, as her reached up his free hand to hold her chin, tipping her face up to kiss her. "I don't get a real something soppy?"

"I'm not good at soppy. I feel bad that I'm no good with soppy. Girls are supposed to be soppy and say sweet things. I know I love you but I don't know how to say it most of the time." She kissed him back.

He smiled, pressing his nose against hers. "You say it just fine. It's not as if I can't tell."

Spider scrubbed a finger under her eye and let out a small, nervous laugh. "I'm sure the crazy bitch is just laughing her head off at all this lovey-dovey stuff, so . . . " She gave him one quick kiss and turned her head away. "We best go gather up the junior and tell 'em what's up."

Andre sighed. "I'm pretending she can't see any of this," he said, and nodded. "Let's do."