“You don’t have to keep apologizing,” I say.
“Yes, I do. I just acted like a complete lunatic.” She shakes her head. “How are you being so understanding?”
“Because I can tell you’re scared and overwhelmed.”
She swallows hard.
“Plus, I like when you’re a little crazy.” I smirk, then start to chuckle, causing her to laugh too.
Leaning down, my hand finds the side of her face, and I kiss her. Her lips part, and she lets me in as another breeze blows by us, sending a shiver through us both.
“Come on,” I say, pulling back. “Let’s get you inside to warm up.”
Standing, I reach out and take her hand.We begin our walk toward her dance studio.We pass by a small group of people who stop talking the second we’re in ear shot.
“I think we put on quite the show for everyone,” she whispers. Her cheeks turning a bright pink. “I feel like they’re all staring and talking about us.”
I chuckle. “Just ignore them. They have no idea what they heard.” I squeeze her hand and lean down, placing a kiss on top of her head. The wordhomeswims around my brain, and I attempt to shake the thought that we might actually be stuck here, and although I’m beginning to think I’d be happy living out my days here with her, I know she wouldn’t feel the same.
Chapter 30: The Nutcracker
Claire
Aknock on the glass door startles me, and I whip around to find Everett waving and pointing at the lock on the door. Snow is coming down all around him. His face is a little red from the cold, and two paper cups are in his hands
I click the lock and let him in.
“Sorry,” I say. “It’s freezing out there. Hopefully that was the first time you knocked?”
“It was,” he assures me, making his way inside the studio and dusting off some of the snow from his jacket. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.” My eyes find the clock. “Shit, has it really been an hour?”
“Yeah.”
“Did Cami have any insight into the crystals?”
“No,” he says, handing me one of the cups. “I don’t know. The way she talked about them kind of made me think they’re bullshit.”
I snort. “I think we’re supposed to be believing in the magic, not questioning it.”
He shrugs. “I guess it made me realize that we better come up with a different solution.”
Sitting, I begin to unlace my shoes, and he sits next to me.
“Did dancing help you feel better?” he asks.
“It did. Thank you for knowing it’s what I needed,” I say,focusing on the knot of one of the ribbons. “So, if it’s not the crystals, what do you think it is?”
He shakes his head. “Other than you and me falling?—”
I let out a chuckle. “Everett!”
“Hey, it’s the best lead we have.”
“So we’re back at square one?”
“I’m sorry.”
