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He looks entirely too pleased with himself.

“I must say,” he continues, “I was hoping you’d have enough survival instinct to return to whatever frozen kingdom your parents snatched you from.”

I scoff. “That’s the best you could come up with?”

“Give me time.”

“You’ve had forty-something hours.”

“Clearly, I’m pacing myself.”

A laugh threatens to escape me, but I swallow it before I can do something as humiliating as let him know he’s funny.

For a moment, our eyes meet, and something shifts between us.

I look away first.

Damn it.

I don’t back down from challenges, especially not when Stephen Choi is involved. Now he’ll think he's won.

The fireplace crackles softly as I turn toward the bookshelves, desperate for something else to focus on besides his stupidly handsome face.

Then I spot a section of romance novels.

The Sweetest Addiction. A Summer in San Juan. And, most surprisingly, Falling for the Pack.

I glance over my shoulder and find him watching me.

My heart does something ridiculous. So, I immediately look away.

“You read romance?” I ask.

“I do.”

“Why?”

He pulls a book from the shelf, running his thumb over its cover.

“Because when I read them, I know something beautiful exists.” His voice softens. “Even if it isn’t real.”

Crack.

Something inside my chest gives a strange little pull.

My fingers instinctively touch the crown pendant resting against my chest.

I don’t know why.

But suddenly, the room feels quieter.

Stephen seems to realize he’s said more than he intended.

Because his expression changes.

The softness disappears and his walls go back up.

Then he places the book on the shelf and looks at me.