“What’s going on in that head of yours?” I asked, voice low, barely above the sound of the party.
Her chin wobbled, but she forced out a laugh, shaking her head. “I just…” She exhaled sharply, finally meeting my eyes. “This is the first time I’ve helped outside of clinicals, and what if I did the wrong thing? What if I miscalculated the time? What if I should’ve called an ambulance sooner?”
She was spiraling, but still fighting so damn hard to keep it together. I couldn’t help it. I cupped her face, brushing my thumbs over her cheekbones.
“You were perfect,” I said, dead serious. “You kept him calm after the seizure, His mom. Everyone. You knew exactly what to do.”
She shook her head, but I saw the hesitation. “What if I fuck it all up?” she whispered. “What if?—”
“Stop.”
She froze.
I dropped my hands, but I stayed close. “Every single thing we do in life comes with risks. We’re human. We mess up. But from where I stood?” I let my eyes drag over her, taking her in, every incredible, frustrating inch of her. “You were in complete control. You didn’t hesitate. You were a goddamn badass.”
She swallowed hard. “Yeah, but?—”
“But what?” I pressed. “You think that because you care, because you’re worried about getting it wrong, that makes you weak?”
She looked away, but I wasn’t having it. I nudged her chin back toward me. “That’s what makes you good, Michelle.”
She sighed. For a moment, we just stood there, our bodies too close, the air too charged.
I wanted to kiss her.
But that wasn’t what she needed right now.
So, instead, I reached for her hand, gave it a squeeze, and smirked.
“By the way, if you wanted an excuse to ditch me at this wedding, you didn’t have to cause a whole medical emergency.”
Her laugh broke through the tension, a real, genuine sound. “You think I planned that?”
I winked. “I wouldn’t put it past you.”
She rolled her eyes, but her shoulders finally relaxed.
And just like that, she came back to me. No more doubt on her face, no more second-guessing herself. She stood taller and had the usual glean in her eyes.
“What do you want to do?” I asked. “Leave? Go inside? Tell me, and I’ll do it.”
“Fiona will stab me if I leave.”
“We can’t have that. I’m not a fan of blood.” I made a face. “I would suck as a vampire. If I see more than a drop? I’ll pass out. And then you’ll have to carry me to the car.”
That earned a real laugh, the kind that made my stomach tighten. I stood and held out a hand. “Let’s go,date—we have drinks to consume.”
She bit her lip, hesitating for half a second before standing, brushing her hands down her dress.
“Is my makeup all crazy?”
I stepped in close, close enough to see the faint smudge under her eyes, the way her lips were still slightly parted, like she’d been about to say something before stopping herself.
“Here.” I reached up, brushing my thumb beneath her lashes, slow and careful, wiping away the smudged eyeliner.
Her breath hitched, barely audible, but I felt it.
Her mouth was so damn close to mine.
