“You,” Majesty said simply. “You’re what’s different.”
She smiled, soft and vulnerable. “Good. I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling like this is significant.”
“Very significant,” I confirmed. “Which is why we’re going to take our time. Make sure we do this right.”
“Even though waiting might kill us,” Majesty added with a wry grin.
She laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “Fair enough.”
She stood finally, and we both rose with her. At the base of the stairs, she turned back to look at us.
“Thank you,” she said. “For being patient with me. For explaining things.” She gestured vaguely at the couch. “For that.”
“Our pleasure,” I said, and meant it in every sense.
“Literally,” Majesty added, making her laugh again.
Cami kissed each of us good night, and she lingered a bit before going upstairs. We watched her climb the stairs, and once we heard her door close, Majesty turned to me.
“Well,” he said. “That escalated.”
“It did.” I ran a hand through my hair, still feeling the ghost of her fingers there.
“Are we really doing this?”
I looked at the person I trusted most in the world. “I think we already are.”
“Good.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “Because I’m pretty sure I’m already halfway in love with her.”
“Only halfway?” I raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised you’re showing such restraint.”
He laughed. “Give me another week. I’ll be completely gone.”
“I’ll be right there with you,” I admitted quietly.
We stood there in the firelight, both processing what had just happened and what it meant for all three of us.
“The students arrive in a couple days,” Majesty said after a moment.
“I know.”
“Things are going to get complicated.”
“They already are.” I met his eyes. “But I think complicated might be exactly what all three of us need.”
He nodded, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Then let’s see where this takes us.”
“Together,” I confirmed.
“Together.”
We headed to our respective rooms, but I knew neither of us would sleep much tonight. Not with Cami just down the hall, not with the memory of her taste on my lips, not with the knowledge that something profound had just shifted between the three of us.
Tonight, I let myself feel the hope, the anticipation, the terrifying and exhilarating possibility that we might have found something rare and worth fighting for and building together. I would save figuring out the logistics and factor in our realities for tomorrow. For now, I’d dream.
Chapter Nine
Cami
