Rolling them, he takes his time until they perfectly expose the ink marking his skin. Veins thread between the blackened images on his forearms, and I can’t tear my eyes away.
Just before the first drop of drool falls, he offers me his arm. “Ready?”
I nod, looping my hand through the crook of his elbow before abruptly recoiling. “Are you sure we shouldn’t go one at a time? Maybe youshould go first.”
“I’m not letting you walk down a dark street by yourself, Avery.”
“It’s like fifty yards away! You’ll be able to see me the whole time.”
He grips my hand, curling it back through his arm. “Safety in numbers, my friend.”
I roll my eyes but can’t ignore the butterflies that rise up inside at his insistence, which are immediately swallowed up by that pesky little word.Friend.
Once we’re through the doors, letting go of Ty is the last thing I want to do. This place issoromantic. The lights are dim. Faux candles flicker in sconces lining the long mahogany hall we venture down. Up ahead I hear strings—real, live string instruments—echoing from what I assume is the ballroom. Grasping Ty tighter, I let the atmosphere overshadow any creeping dread inside. Tonight, away from the Kings and our responsibilities, we’re just us.
Ty and I crest the mezzanine, staring down to the floor below as we make our way down the stairs. My breath catches in my throat as the excitement bubbles up inside me, and I’m not sure how to process it. Am I about to cry? Everything is so beautiful.Whimsical. Dancers oscillate around the floor like apples bobbing in a barrel, weightless as they move. Music strums from a stage, wrapping us in a warm melody as we make our way to the dance floor.
Ty’s hand slides down to mine, and he jerks me back to his side before I can find a place among the revelers. Then he ducks to my level so I can hear him over the party. “Straight to the dance floor, really? Don’t you want a drink?”
Ilean in, my lips brushing his ear as I say, “I can’t wait any longer. I’m dying to see you in action.”
Shaking his head, he lets me pull him to the floor. We start with a little step touch. Ty’s shoulders are tight. It’s cute how nervous he is. If anyone is judging him, it most definitely won’t be me. My arms flail overhead as I do a little pivot in place, and even though I can’t hear it over the amp that’s a few feet away, I think he’s laughing.
After half a song, he relaxes, his movements becoming more fluid. When I reach my arms out to him, he grabs my hands, spinning me out then back to him.
“Ooh, fancy!” I lift my chin, and our eyes meet. “I didn’t teach you that. Have you been researching dance in your free time?”
“Maybe.”
“Again!”
A smile unfurls beneath his mask, flashing the sharp faux canines I just applied. He attempts the twirl again. My dress swooshes, catching on his legs before I can get far. Dropping his hands, I step back to free us both, straightening it out as the mood in the room shifts once again, and the musicians start to play something slower.
I crinkle my nose at him. “Sorry. I’m still adjusting to wearing something so massive.”
“That’s veryAveryof you to take the blame.” He clucks his tongue as he offers me his hand. “I appreciate your attempt to save my dignity, but I already know I suck.”
I snort. “You’re just learning! You don’t suck.”
His lips part, and his tongue runs along his upper teeth. “These fangs say otherwise.”
A laugh burbles out of me as I swat his chest playfully.
He smiles back. It’s intoxicating. Last month, I never could have fathomed Ty could smile so wide. And here he is, shining those pearly whites down at me and me alone. It’s exhilarating to consider that I was the one who did that.
And then he wipes it away, a more serious tone coating his words. “You can be honest with me, Avery. I want you to be.”
Can I be honest with him?
Ty, I don't want to be “just friends.” And I don’t want to move out.
What would he say? I wish things were simpler, that we’d met on different terms or had different careers. I wish there were someone else who made me feel so… safe. Heard.Reassured.Like I can be myself in all my chaotic glory. Constantly trying to hide things is draining. Half the time, I don’t recognize myself. I may be prone to smiling, but it’s become so instinctual that even when I have moments of doubt, that stupid grin settles into place, and like clockwork, a silly little anecdote about how things will start looking up soon pops into my head. I never fullyfeelthings. I can’t. In the past, it’s only brought on a barrage of anger and disappointment from others. Feeling things could be my downfall.
And I have a lot of feelings about Ty. So why am I not more afraid?
Taking my hand, he pulls me to his chest again. He doesn’t let go as we begin to sway, his other palm pressing firmly into the small of my back. I suck in a deep breath, his warm, spiced cologne filling my lungs.Larissa was right. A ball is incredibly romantic. The mood feels right too. If I were to choose to be honest—to confess—anything, why not now? As Ty stares down at me, enveloping me in that comforting, deep blue gaze, I muster my strength.
Maybe I don’t know exactly what this is, but I’m feelingsomething. His eyes drop to my mouth, and an internal struggle begins. Last time I kissed him, I told him it was a mistake, and he agreed. If I kissed him again, could I change his mind? If I said what’s on my heart, would he reject me? All I want is to feel as close to him as possible. My lips part, but before I can do either one, something slams into my back, a rush of cold washing over my bare skin and pushing me into Ty’s chest.
