Silver glances over as he sits back down, one eyebrow cocked. “That from the movie?”
I nod, still caught up in the character.
“You’re good. Really good. No wonder you got Magnolia. What’s that line supposed to mean?”
“It’s about the main character?—”
“Tiffany?”
I can’t help but giggle. “No, Tiffany’s is the place. It’s this super fancy jewelry store in Manhattan.”
“Wouldn’t know anything about that.”
“The main character is Holly Golightly. She’s this fascinating woman who refuses to be caged. She won’t commit to anything or anyone because her freedom means a lot to her after being trapped in the past. But she still goes to Tiffany’s because deep down, under all her wild antics, she wants stability. Somewhere to belong. Someone to belong to, even if she can’t admit it.”
“And you relate to her?” he asks out of interest. “You’re the one wanting to be an actress, sneaking into bars on New Year’s Eve, talking about leaving for LA.”
I consider this, crumping my napkin in my hands. “In a way, yeah. I’ve always dreamed of being brave enough to leave Pulsboro behind, like Holly lefthersmall town in Texas. Just pack up and go to LA. Become a talented actress. You know, someone who matters. Someone people remember.”
“Youalreadyare brave,” Silver says simply. “You’re already a talented actress. You got Magnolia, didn’t you? That’s not nothing, Solana. That’s impressive. So is what you did last night.”
He always knows exactly what to say. Always sees me more than anyone else does.
But sitting opposite him in his living room, deep down I’m aware he’s right. They’re the same realizations I’ve slowly been coming to from the time I woke up this morning.
I am brave. I killed a man who tried to hurt me. I stood up to Shay and Yvette today. I went after what I wanted and got thepart. I’m here with Silver even though I know he’s trying to push me away.
It’s empowering going after what I want. Empowering to stand on business unapologetically and confidently. All things I’m learning and quickly becoming accustomed to.
Silver gets up to go put the pizza box in the fridge, cracking a joke about how he’s fed his so-called dad bod enough grease for one day. Especially amusing considering he’s in better shape than most college guys my age.
My heart pounds as I stand, making a snap decision.
This is the moment. Time to be brave about this too. Another opportunity to stop dancing around what’s between us.
I walk into the kitchen, stopping close enough to feel his body heat radiating in the small space. Close enough to smell his woodsy cologne, drawing a deep breath to gather any last courage I have.
“Silver…” I start slowly, going back to what I’d meant to say this morning. “Thank you. For everything. For last night. For helping me. For seeing me when no one else does.”
His brows furrow as he turns away from the counter to face me, and I rise up on tiptoe and press a kiss to his lips.
Just one simple, soft kiss that’s almost innocent in nature. But one that carries a note of hope too—and even promise on my end.
He’s gone still, frozen in shock by the forward gesture. His lips are warm and pleasant, slightly rough, sending immediate sparks through me once we touch.
But then he jerks back like he’s finally come to his senses.
“What are you doing?”
“I like you,” I say plainly, adding a small smile. “And… and I want to find out what that means. I want to explore this thing between us. Don’t you?”
He takes a couple more steps back, shaking his head vehemently. “You’re mistaken. You’re only saying that because you’re looking for an escape from what happened. It’s a trauma response, nothing more.”
“I’m not the one who’s mistaken! You are. You’rewrong,” I say with no shred of doubt to be found anywhere. “Iamseeking something, but it’s not escape. It’s empowerment.Ownershipover my own experiences, my own body, my own choices.”
“Solana—”
“I want to erase what Kel did. I don’t want him to be the only man who’s ever had me, especially when I couldn’t even consent. I want better memories, better experiences. You’re the man I trust to give me that. The only man I choose to. You’re who I want!”
