He nods.
“Holy shit,” I mutter.
He nods again. “Yep.”
I frown. “No one told you that you did the right thing? Breaking it off with her?”
Lark rolls his eyes. “No. That’s not how things work in the Bienvenue family.”
“Lark, listen to me.” I sweep my thumb along his cheek. “You did the right thing.”
An exhale rushes from him, and I wonder how long he’s been holding his breath, waiting for someone to say those words.
“You did the right thing,” I say again, keeping his gaze. He holds mine back for a long time.
His chest rises and falls. “I know.” He nods. “I know that.”
“Of course you do,” I whisper.
“Yeah, but, it feels good hearing it from you.”
I smile gently up at him.
His hands cup my face as his smile warms. “It means a lot.”
Lark leans in to kiss me.
“Wait,” I tell him, catching him by both wrists.
He frowns. “You don’t want me to kiss you?”
“Oh, I do. I definitely want you to kiss me,” I say nodding.
“What’s wrong then?” Tension narrows his eyes.
“I need to tell you something.”
“Tell me what?”
I shift my weight on my feet. “Two things, actually.”
“What are they?”
Butterflies launch in my stomach. “I just don’t know which one to go with first.”
Lark’s frown tightens. “Stella, you’re making me nervous.”
I nod rapidly. “Yeah, I get that. Sorry.”
“Just say it.” He licks his lips, bracing himself. “Whatever it is.”
“O-Okay.” I swallow hard, wondering if I’m doing the right thing. Wondering if he’ll think it’s the right thing.
I shut my eyes for a moment and think about Nanna. And I’m immediately smiling. She would approve. I totally know she would. I open my eyes and gaze into Lark’s. “Lark, I never want to marry you. So don’t ask.”
His mouth falls open. “Wh-What?”
“You heard me.”
