“Move.” The word isn’t loud, but everyone obeys it instantly. My head drops against his shoulder. The world blurs past—storefront lights, voices, footsteps.
His scent cuts through the perfume choking the air.
Clean and familiar.
The mall doors slide open and cold night air crashes over us. My lungs finally pull in a real breath. Then another.
Jace keeps walking until we’re far enough away from the crowd that the noise fades. He lowers me onto a bench near the entrance but doesn’t let go completely. One hand stays firm on my back.
“Easy,” he murmurs.
My fingers clutch the front of his shirt without me realizing it. The fabric bunches in my fists.
I focus on that instead of the memory trying to claw its wayup my throat.
“Iz.” His voice is soft. “Look at me.”
It takes a second, but I lift my head. His eyes scan my face like he’s searching for injuries.
“What happened?” he asks quietly.
I shake my head too fast. “Nothing.”
His jaw tightens.“You don’t almost pass out over nothing.”
The mall doors open behind us and laughter spills outside.
My shoulders tense instantly. Jace notices.
Of course he does.
His body shifts slightly closer, blocking my line of sight from the entrance without making a big show of it.
“What was it?” he asks.
I swallow. “Perfume.”
The word feels small compared to the wave of panic it brought with it.
Jace goes still. His gaze flicks briefly toward the mall doors. Then back to me. Something dark flashes across his face. Then, he exhales slowly, like he’s forcing something down. His thumb brushes lightly over my wrist.
“You’re alright,” he says quietly.
My grip tightens on his shirt again.
Embarrassment burns under my skin.
“Sorry.”
“For what?”
“For… this.” I gesture vaguely to my shaking hands.
Jace frowns. “Iz.”
His voice drops lower. “Don’t apologize for needing air. ”
The warmth of his hands grounds me. His presence does something strange to the panic still clawing at my chest.
