Page 99 of Ballrooms & Blackmail

River doesn’t step back.

A small victory.

A dangerous victory.

“I don’t know how to do this.” The confession slips out before I can stop it.

She freezes, her expression gentling. “I know,” she whispers.

“I…” I sigh. “I keep trying to figure out the right way to tell you.”

Her laughter is soft…and sad. “Thorn, honey. I don’t need perfect.”

I close my eyes, my heart twisting in my chest.

Because suddenly I understand.

The right words aren’t the problem.

The truth is.

And I’m still scared of it.

Still scared she’ll hear everything and decide I’m exactly what I’ve always feared.

A monster who’s just wearing a better suit.

She looks away again. Back toward the gardens. Toward the darkness. Toward anywhere but me.

“I just need you to trust me.”

God, I hate that she sounds tired.

Not angry.

Not furious.

Tired.

“I do.” I step closer again.

Close enough to see the shimmer of tears she refuses to let fall.

Close enough to smell the perfume she wore tonight.

Close enough to remember exactly what it feels like to hold her.

Her breath catches.

Mine does too.

“Little hen,” I rasp, wrapping one arm around her waist.

“Thorn,” she whispers, her body melting against mine.

And then somehow…we’re kissing.

Just like that night.