That spark. The way she’s trying to fight a smile as she argues with this guy.
Wait. Darian. That name is familiar now that I think about it. Is he the one whose eyebrow she shaved off?
My lips part and I gape at her for a second, narrowing my eyes as I try to see if one of his eyebrows looks uneven.
They’re both oblivious to me staring at them, too busy bickering with each other.
Tobin sidles up beside me, watching in bemused interest. “I think our fairy might have found herself a place to call home.”
“You think?” I glance at them and wince. There’s no way I’d want to be in a relationship like that, snipping at each other the whole time.
“Can’t you feel the sexual tension?” He bulges his eyes at me.
Jed rounds my other side, getting in on the conversation. “Fairies do live in trees, you know.”
“They’re totally doing it,” Tobin quips.
“You sure?” I cross my arms, still watching them and then having to bite my lips against a laugh when he takes her wrists, spinning her around and pulling her back against his torso. He leans down to whisper something in her ear, and she can’t fight her grin.
“Oh yeah, they are definitely boinking,” Jed agrees with his boyfriend, who gets the giggles.
“Boinking. Baby, I love you.”
“I love you too.” He reaches for Tobin’s hand and pulls him close, and I remain on my own, trying not to notice how cold it is with nobody beside me.
My eyes scan the milling crowds around us, desperately seeking out the man I couldn’t handle being with.
The thought of seeing him makes my stomach trill.
I wasn’t ready two and a half months ago. That’s why I walked away.
But I’ve had time.
Time to work on myself.
Time to let go of what happened to Atlas. To forgive myself for the part I played in it. To forgivehimfor what he allowed to happen to his body.
I’m feeling stronger and more secure than I ever have.
Yet this ache still beats inside me.
I’m whole on my own, but I’m not complete. And I’m pretty sure there’s only one person who can fill that space. Or at least one person who Iwantto fill that space.
And he’s not here.
“I don’t know if he’ll make it,” Tobin warns me softly. “I really tried to get him here, but…” He shrugs. “Sorry, Dani Girl.”
“That’s okay.” I shake my head and walk beside him toward the growing line waiting to get into the stadium. “It was my choice to break up with him. He doesn’t owe me anything.”
Jed’s arm comes around me, and he gives me a squeeze. “You’re gonna be all right. You’re strong. You’re tough. You can handle anything.”
I nod, forcing myself to agree with him.
CHAPTER 53
TYRELL
I’m fucking late.
