Page 59 of Fallen Flame

“I thought we were waiting,” Clove said.

“I waited,” he said around a mouthful.

“For three seconds,” Clove laughed.

“I got hungry.”

Lark handed out the plates. “You all act like you’ve never seen food before.”

“We work hard,” Jude answered.

“We’re dramatic,” Ever corrected.

“That too.”

The conversation drifted from work to stories about Dairy Bar customers before Penny disappeared into the clubhouse and came back carrying a small Bluetooth speaker.

She set it on the table and music filled the backyard.

Ever immediately stood. “Oh.”

Jude looked up. “No.”

“Oh yes.”

She grabbed his hand and he sighed dramatically. “I knew this was coming.”

“You love me.”

“I tolerate you.”

She laughed as she wrapped both arms around his neck. “You definitely love me.”

Penny grabbed Lark’s hand next. “Come on.”

“I don’t dance.”

“Liar.”

“I dance badly.”

“Perfect,” Penny laughed.

Within seconds, the three women were laughing and moving around the patio while Ender and Clove watched from beside the fire.

I leaned against the railing with my bottle of water, mostly watching Lark.

She laughed with her whole body. She threw her head back and didn’t care who saw. Didn’t care if she looked ridiculous. She just lived.

Penny’s phone rang, and she frowned at the screen. “I gotta take this.” She wandered toward the side yard, and the next song that came through the speaker was slower.

Ever immediately melted closer to Jude. He wrapped one arm around her waist like it was second nature.

Lark stopped dancing and she just watched them for a second, then she looked at me. Before I knew what she was doing, she walked over.

She took my hand and didn’t ask. Just pulled.

“Lark,” I protested.