Later she was going to go out to dinner with this man. And he was going to hold her hand and pull out her chair and kiss her goodnight at the end of the date.
And she couldn’t wait.
But right now, she was in Luke’s arms, and she didn’t want to be anywhere else.
Around them,the square was slowly reorganising itself. Radios were crackling, a patrol car was visible at the edge of the green. The EMTs had arrived within minutes, efficient and calm, and Luke stepped back just far enough to let them work.
They had checked her over—pulse, pupils, the red marks on her wrists that were already fading to pink. They'd asked if she wanted to go to the hospital. She'd said no.
Grace's legs still felt unsteady. She was glad that Luke had stayed beside her the entire time, close enough that their shoulders touched, his hand warm and solid at the small of her back.
Now the EMTs were packing up, and the crowd had mostly dispersed back to their booths and games, though Grace could feel eyes on them. Watching. Wondering.
Before she could feel self conscious, a familiar voice called out.
"There you are!"
Hannah appeared, Jake Cooper right behind her. Hannah's face was flushed, her eyes bright with something that looked suspiciously like tears.
"Are you okay?" Hannah reached for Grace's hands. "I saw what happened, and then the crowd, and I couldn't get to you?—"
"I'm fine," Grace assured her. "Luke got him."
Hannah's gaze flicked to Luke, then back to Grace. Something passed between them—a whole conversation in a look.
"Good," Hannah said firmly.
Jake nodded at Luke. "Hell of a tackle, man."
"Thanks." Luke's voice was easy, but Grace felt him tense slightly beside her.
"About time, too," Jake added, eyes glinting with amusement. "I was starting to think you'd never pull your head out of your?—"
"Jake," Hannah warned.
"—situation," Jake finished smoothly. He grinned at Grace. "He's been miserable for weeks. Just FYI."
"Jake," Luke said, low and warning.
"What? I'm being supportive." Jake's grin widened. "This is me being supportive."
Hannah rolled her eyes fondly. "We're going to get cider. Grace, if you need anything?—"
"I'll find you," Grace promised.
Hannah squeezed her hand once more, and then she and Jake disappeared into the crowd.
Grace turned to Luke. "Miserable for weeks?"
His ears were pink. "Jake talks too much."
"You should've been miserable." She poked him in the chest with one finger. "You were an idiot."
"I was," he agreed readily. "Complete idiot."
"And you hurt me."
"I know." His voice went serious. "Grace, I?—"
