“I feel the same.”
His chest swelled at her response. And then—because he was an idiot—he cracked a smile. “Also, I really don’t have a choice about being me. It’s who I am.”
She chuckled, but remained tucked against him. Frankly, he never wanted her to move. “That’s not such a bad thing. As I said earlier, you’re perfect.”
“You’ll give me a big head,” he warned her.
“You already have a big head.”
He huffed out a laugh, and the hair near her temple grazed his cheek. “True.”
Silence threaded between them, but it was peaceful. Content. Venn kept her close, their cheeks brushing as they slowly swayed to the music. From the corner of his eye, he tracked the children. They were settled on the bench, and Sarah peered over Finn’s arm so she could coo at her sister.
“When I was a little girl,” Vera said suddenly, “I dreamed of dancing like this.”
Everything in Venn stilled as he focused on her soft words.
With her head still resting on his chest, he couldn’t see her face as she said, “I wanted a pretty dress. I wanted tofeelpretty. And I wanted to be held—just like this. But I never truly thought it would happen. Even before my parents died, we didn’t have enough coin for pretty dresses. Besides, I was too shy to let anyone see me dance. And whenever I tried to picture the face of the one dancing with me . . . it was a blur. But the feeling? The warmth and security of being held? That was vivid.” Her fingers tightened against his shoulder, and she slowly looked up. Her cheeks were pink, but her eyes were intent as she whispered, “It felt like this.”
Shock rippled through him—along with hope, though he barely dared acknowledge that. Not in this vulnerable moment. “Vera . . .”
At the sound of his deep voice, she swallowed. Her eyes grew shielded. “We need to talk, Venn.”
Dread curled low inside him. He wasn’t ready for this conversation—he hadn’t won her back yet. But he also knew things couldn’t continue like this.
Even if he was destined to lose her tonight, he would not give up without a fight.
Resolve hardened his jaw as he lowered his chin. “We do need to talk. Later. After the children are asleep.”
Her lips pursed, and she gave a small nod.
Beyond them, the song changed. This pace was fast, and it perfectly echoed the pounding in his chest.
“Spin her, Venn!” Sarah called out, and it shattered the moment.
Vera pulled back a little, though she didn’t let go of his hand. “We shouldn’t disappoint her.”
Venn tightened his hold on her fingers, and then he spun her. Her skirt flared, brushing his legs, and under the glow of the lanterns and the stars, Vera danced—the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen. And as Sarah called for him to keep spinning her, Vera’s laugh filled the night.
Strange, how something so beautiful could hurt so fates-blasted much.
Chapter 13
Vera
The celebration was still going when Sarah began nodding off. Venn lifted her into his arms and she curled against his chest, her head tucked on his shoulder, and one of his broad hands spread protectively over her back.
Vera had a hard time looking away. But then, this was Venn—she always had a hard time looking away. Especially when that hand had been pressed against her side not long ago.
She wasn’t sure if Venn’s words—or those looks he’d given her—meant anything, but she knew she couldn’t delay any longer. No more excuses or fear. She needed to tell him how she truly felt, and the reason behind everything she’d said in Wexon, even if that meant admitting her darkest secret. Her deepest guilt. He deserved to know why she had pushed him away so harshly, and she needed to tell him. She was determined to fight for him, even if she still wasn’t sure how to get the words out.
The shadowed look in Venn’s eye was difficult to read, and that unsettled her, undermining her shallow confidence. She didn’t understand how he could smile at her—dance with her pressed so close—and yet have no desire to hear an explanation of why she’d been so cruel to him. But she refused to back down. One way or another, this would end tonight.
I love you,she thought as she caught his eye.I love you and I’m so, so sorry . . .
“Ready?” Venn asked.
Vera nodded, tightening her hold on Rebecca, even though the baby was secured by the sling. “Yes.”
