“Well,you’retalking to me. Couldn’t find anyone better?”
She scoffs. Then glances around before pulling me behind the cottage where no one can see. We’re finally alone once again.
“Hi,” Farren says, blushing.
“Hi,” I echo, letting the stoic mask melt away and my true feelings emerge.
“The wedding was nice, wasn’t it?”
“I couldn’t pay attention to most of it,” I admit.
Farren looks away, not willing to play into the implication. Or well, fact, since she stared at me back. “I love these flowers. Shelly has such good taste,” she says instead.
I take stock of my surroundings, the short pathway to the altar beyond her shoulder. Wildflowers in an array of purple on every table. Got it.
“What’s with that look? Why does it seem like you’re taking notes?” she laughs.
I smile. “Because I am.”
Her eyes go wide. “You can’t just… you can’t just say stuff like that.”
“Why not?”
“Because.”
It takes everything I have not to say we’ll have our own flower-petaled aisle if that’s what she wants. I shouldn’t play with Farren like this too much, but most of the time I’m not playing. And this time I most definitely am not.
Farren’s gaze suddenly dips outward toward the cliffs, her eyebrows scrunching. “What’s wrong?” I ask.
“You’re going to think I’m overreacting, but I’m concerned for them. This is the only day we haven’t checked on them since your dad and—”
“And you’re worried,” I finish.
She sighs. “Yes.”
“Then let’s go.”
“Right now?”
“I wouldn’t mind checking on them too.” I glance around the party, no one paying us attention, but also knowing if I don’t take her up on this offer, we should part ways, stop interacting. We can’t exactly pretend to hate one another if we are together the whole night. “Besides, there I can dance with you.”
I pull her away from the crowd and we walk up the road together. Once we’re out of sight of any guest Farren grabs my hand, and our fingers stay interlocked as we climb down the cliffs. Even in the approaching dusk, this is so much easier without rain and worry.
We slip into the cave, a coolness wrapping around us. I associate the feeling with safety, the little family we’ve become. Nity raises her head as we enter but lays back down when she notices it’s just us. I like how relaxed she is around me nowadays. Dare I say fond.
The Feylings’ lights are on a little early, a multicolored glow that makes Farren’s shawl glint and her dress sparkle.
“Will you dance with me?” I ask.
“Do you even like dancing?”
“I like the idea of holding you in my arms.”
She blushes as she steps closer to me. “I’m not very good,” she admits.
“I’m not saying I’m any good. Or I won’t step on your toes.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.”
