‘No, that’s not why.’ She shook her head. ‘You wanted them to see me with you.’
He blinked. ‘Well … yeah.’
She let out a scoff. He wasn’t even ashamed!
‘I knew this was a bad idea,’ she said, her voice hardening. ‘I’m going home. Don’t follow me.’
‘Bis, wait!’
She whirled on him. ‘Why?’
‘Of course I wanted people to see you with me—look at you.’
‘Now you’re being cruel.’ Unbearably, her eyes welled with tears. ‘I know what I am. I’m the monster in the wood, the Unwanted Witch. Iknowwhat I am.’
‘No, I don’t think you do.’ He stepped closer. ‘Look at you! You’re stunning. Fit to be worshipped.’
Those words stopped her in her tracks. They sounded familiar, but she couldn’t recall why. Her cheeks warmed.
‘I wanted everyone to see you were with me so they could witness my good fortune,’ he said, face gentle. ‘I wanted them all to be jealous—you’re the prettiest girl in town.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘You are so full of shit.’
His mouth fell open as if he couldn’t believe she thought he was lying.
‘Bisma, I am being deathly serious,’ he said, his eyes vividly green. ‘You’re … breathtaking. As in you literally take my breath away every single time I look at you, worse when you look at me. It’s better than magic, that gaze of yours.’
She didn’t believe him, how could she? Xander couldn’t mean all those words, not about her anyway. She crossed her arms, scowling.
He let out a frustrated sound. ‘I don’t understand why you’re upset,’ he said.
‘Of course you don’t!’ she snapped.
He flinched. ‘I’m nothim. Please don’t punish me for what he did,’ he said, sounding angry.
This time she was the one who flinched.
Then something changed in his expression. His face softened as if he realized something. ‘Don’t punish yourself, either, Bis,’ he said.
She shook her head, hearing but not truly understanding what he was saying. She wouldn’t look at him.
‘It is not your fault you loved an idiot who did not deserve even a fraction of your affection,’ he said.
But itwasher fault. It was completely, entirely her own fault.
‘Let me let you down,’ Xander implored.
‘What?’ She brought her gaze back to him.
He sucked in a breath. ‘Disappointment is inevitable,’ he said. ‘I can’t promise that I’ll never upset you. But allow me to make amends, allow me to improve, allow me to be better. Let me let you down, if only so I can pick you up again. Please, Bis. Just give me a chance.’
His voice was a whisper on those last words, as though he was praying.
She bit her bottom lip, thinking about it, even though she didn’t want to think; she just wanted to say yes and yes and yes to everything he ever said, ever asked of her.
But she didn’t trust herself enough for that yet. So she thought. And thought. And thought again.
‘Alright,’ she finally said, releasing a long breath.
