I stumble backwards as if she’d just slapped me.

“He’s… your.. husband?” I reply stupidly. She nods grimly and Shade, out of nowhere, takes my hand. I walk inside, just in case some people think that I just might be crazy, pulling my friends along with me. I look at Rachel again.

“Okay, so how’d he win you over?”

“A’ighty, long story, let me begin with this. He’s a musician, and he sang those lovely German songs to me…” She trailed off. “How’d Shade win you over?”

“Wit. Now get back to it, and don’t stall!”