Just observing.
That made it easier to stay in the conversation.
“What about you?” I asked.
“I like chaos,” he said simply.
“That sounds unhealthy.”
“It is.”
He smiled.
That should’ve ended it.
It didn’t.
Because he didn’t move away.
He just stayed there like proximity wasn’t a negotiation.
MASON
He touched her shoulder.
Not long.
Just enough to get her attention as he said something.
That was mistake number one.
It wasn’t even intentional.
Probably.
But I noticed it anyway.
Jace saw my expression shift.
“You’re doing the jaw thing again,” he said.
“I’m not doing anything.”
“You are absolutely internally combusting right now.”
I exhaled.
“I don’t care.”
“That’s the biggest lie you’ve told all week.”
I didn’t respond.
Because Rowan stepped slightly closer to Luca to hear him over the music.
Not a touch.
But alignment.
