"Hopefully you didn't get into too much trouble."He looks at my face, a concerned expression crossing his own."Evie?"
I take his hand and draw him over to one of the seats that will comfortably sit two.I arrange my skirts so they don't annoy me, glad that I'm rid of a lot of the unnecessary shaping fabric from beneath, so that I can still sit close to him.I take a deep breath."Mama is unhappy with me.I know that's not really new, but I think she's particularly angry that I left the feast early."
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"I ask."You had no idea that Veronica would tell me that you're in love with me."
"Veronica told you?"There's a hint of surprise in his voice.At least, I think it's surprise.I'm not always the best at reading people, but I tend to do a decent job with Nate.
"She's been helping me understand my emotions," I respond.
"Well, that explains that," he says.
"It does?"
"She didn't seem particularly surprised to see me."He gestures towards the door."So, you've been talking to Veronica about the fact you love me?"
"She was the one who asked me if I did," I blurt out."I didn't have a name for the feelings until then.But then she asked, and I was watching you and trying to work it out.Then I was certain that's what it was."
"When did you realise?"He reaches out and takes my hand, which is nice.
"While you were visiting with the Wafeland delegation," I respond, not seeing any need to not tell the exact truth.
"I see."
"When did you realise?"
"The Yuletide before I left."
I blink a few times."That's nearly six years ago."
"Yes."
"Nate..."
"Evie," he responds as he smooths his thumb over the back of my hand.
"Why didn't you tell me?"I meet his gaze, seeing the familiar and comforting brown eyes looking into my own and feeling as if they see me in a way no one else does.Though I suppose I don't really meet anyone else's gaze, so I don't know if that would be the same.
"I was still working out how I felt," he responds."And I didn't know you felt the same.Which you didn't."
"I did.I mean, I think I did, I just didn't realise.Veronica said that."
"Ah."
"I don't know how to have this conversation," I admit.
"I can't say I have much experience with it either," Nate responds.
"I liked kissing you," I say, going for the thing that's been on my mind since I left the kitchen."A lot."
A relieved smile crosses his face."I liked it too."
"And I meant everything I said in the kitchens."As nervous as I've been about telling him the truth about my feelings, now I have, I feel a lot more confident about it all."I'm in love with you, Nate."
"I'm in love with you too," he assures me."I have been for a long time."
"You didn't tell me before."
