"Thank you," I said as we left the store.
My mother squeezed my hand. "You're going to be the most beautiful girl there."
I doubted that but maybe I'd feel like I belonged.
Even if it was just for one night.
Later that evening, I curled up in my tiny apartment with a book and the blanket that smelled faintly of lavender detergent. The radiator clanked softly and I could hear the neighbor's TV murmuring through the wall. Outside my window, the February sky had gone a deep navy blue, and the streetlights cast soft halos against the patches of melting snow on the sidewalk below.
I tried to focus on the pages, but my mind kept drifting back to the burgundy dress hanging in my closet.
Even my mother's unexpected reaction to how I'd looked in that dress was on my mind.
And then, of course, my thoughts drifted to Kael at the market, his eyes warm as he told me I'd look beautiful.
God, you're a sap,I thought as a smile tugged on my lips. I pulled the blanket tighter and let myself imagine it.
I squeezed my eyes shut and saw myself stepping into the gala with my hair freshly done and the dress on my body. The crowd would part and Kael would be across the room and we'd lock eyes...
Stop it,I told myself.He's probably got plans with someone or something. He would've mentioned going.
Still, a small fragile fragment of hope lingered in my chest as I flipped the page of the book I was reading.
What if this time is different?the voice whispered.What if someone finally sees you?
I closed my eyes again, the book feeling slightly heavy in my hands, and let the thought settle over me like warm honey.
What if a man just like the man who made me honey-ember tarts every morning and told me I was everything would be there?
6
KAEL
Afew days had passed since I'd told Amara she was everything. The moment wouldn't leave my mind no matter what I did, even when I was kneading dough. The memory was stuck on a loop of how her lips had parted slightly and her brown eyes had widened.
Even the way her scent had wrapped around me, stronger and sweeter than ever before, had my dragon purring in remembrance.
Mine,my dragon whispered constantly now. Tell her. Claim her for us.
Soon,I once again promised it.
Of course I was running out of excuses for my dragon and running out of time.
The Valentine gala was approaching rapidly. It was a week and a half away, and I still hadn't told her the truth about who I was. Every morning she walked through that door, and every morning I chickened out. I'd open my mouth to say something, anything, and the words would die in my throat.
What if she walks away? What if she becomes like Sabrina?
That last thought made my stomach turn. Sabrina had seemed so genuine at first. The woman had been sweet as caramel apple pie and interested in me, not my last name. Until she'd found out who I really was, and then everything had changed overnight. Suddenly it was all about being seen at the right places, wearing the right things, positioning herself as the future Mrs. Solas.
The relationship had imploded spectacularly, and I'd sworn I'd never put myself in that position again.
Which was exactly why I was terrified to tell Amara the truth.
I was in the back of the bakery, pulling a tray of cinnamon nest buns from the oven when I heard the bell above the front door chime. Marco was out front handling the morning rush, so I didn't think much of it.
Until I heard her voice. "Is Kael available?"
My mother had dropped in, unexpectedly.
