Not because of what he’s asking. Because he noticed the shift at all.
I look up at him, my heart warming. He’s standing still in my tiny bathroom with creamy goop on his gloves and concern in his eyes, like my moods matter to him. Like I matter to him.
It should calm me. He’s always been this way. He’s always seen me even when others don’t. But now there’s a note of uncertainty there, like he’s afraid he’s the cause of my slump, and it’s not him. Not exactly. It’s just my own heart trying to make sense of everything.
“Yeah,” I say softly. “I am.”
His expression eases immediately. “Good.” Then he smirks. “Because if I accidentally melt your hair off, I need you emotionally stable first.”
I smack his thigh. “That’s not funny!”
He belts out a laugh loud enough to startle Aris awake in the hallway. She chirps angrily.
“Ow.” He rubs his thigh.
“Sorry.” I replace his hand with mine, rubbing soft circles.
Maybe he’s right, though. Maybe I need to get out of here to clear my head.
“Fine.”
“Fine what?”
“We can go somewhere this weekend.”
Holden looks like he just won a prize. “Good.”
20
HOLDEN
Korie is relaxed as we walk down the sidewalk, hands tucked into their pockets. I’m kind of disappointed because I want to hold one.
“You’re staring again,” they murmur without looking at me.
I blink, then turn away, cheeks flaming. The deep red Korie chose for their hair is honestly breathtaking. Or maybe it’s the softness in their eyes whenever they look at me.
Korie has never looked at me that way before.
“Can you blame me? You’re hot.”
Korie snorts softly. “That’s your problem, not mine.”
“Pretty sure it became my problem the second you dyed your hair vampire red.”
“It is not vampire red.”
“It definitely is.” I reach over, threading my fingers through their hair.
Korie leans back into it, their mouth twitching affectionately. “You’re such a dork.”
The insult lands warm instead of sharp, settling somewhere deep in my chest.
Saturday crowds spill around us as we wander downtown with no real destination. Street vendors line the sidewalks, musicians posted on corners, the smell of coffee and pretzels drifting through the air. Korie seems lighter than they have in days, shoulders no longer drawn up around their ears.
Not relaxed exactly.
But trying.
