"Yes," Jin said, but when she glanced at him, he was looking at her.
The moment stretched, warm and fragile.
Then someone bumped into them as the crowd shifted, and the moment broke.
"I should find Mei-Lin," Wren said, suddenly flustered."And Sara.We're staying at her place tonight."
"Of course."Jin's expression was unreadable again.Professional."Safe travels home tomorrow.And Wren?"
"Yes?"
"You did well tonight.The contributions, the games, handling Lyra.The town likes you."He paused."Not just the town."
He walked away before she could ask what he meant.
Wren stood there, her heart racing, watching her lantern drift higher and higher until she couldn't tell which light was hers anymore.
***
"SO," SARA SAID, BRAIDINGher hair before bed."You danced with Viktor, Jin looked jealous, Lyra had a public meltdown, and Jin's mother glared at you.Productive evening."
Wren groaned, face-down on Sara's spare bed."I didn't ask for any of this."
"No, but it's happening anyway.Welcome to being the most interesting person in town."Sara climbed into her own bed."For what it's worth, I think Jin's interested.Really interested.He doesn't usually watch people like he watches you."
"He's just protective.It's his job."
"Wren.Honey.The man lit your lantern and stared at you like you hung the moon.That's not just protective."Sara blew out the candle."Give it time.Men like Jin don't move fast, but when they decide on something, they're committed."
In the darkness, Wren thought about Jin's expression.The way he'd saidnot just the town.The way her heart had responded.
"Sara?"she said quietly.
"Mm?"
"How do you know if you're falling for someone?"
Sara laughed softly."Oh, Wren.I think you already know the answer to that."
Outside, the town was quiet.The festival lights had been extinguished.But somewhere in the darkness, hundreds of lanterns still drifted, carrying wishes toward the stars.
Wren fell asleep thinking about green eyes and quiet strength and the way Jin's hand had steadied hers when lighting the lantern.What was the difference between a wish and hope?What did she hope for?
