Page 200 of Dream On, Liar

Her expression tightened. Whatever relief I had expected from that news was nowhere to be found.

“That doesn’t make me feel better.”

“Me neither.”

She reached across then and covered my hand with hers. Her touch was warm and steady.

“At least you’re not carrying this alone.”

I swallowed. “Yeah.”

Her fingers squeezed mine once.

“And the hearing?”

“They’ll need me as a witness.”

She nodded slowly. “Okay.”

I could already see her mind moving ahead, building questions and outcomes and consequences. I gave her a faint, tired smile.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

She did not look away. “What?”

“That you’re going to ask if I’m scared.”

There was a beat of silence.

“Are you?”

I looked down.

The answer came too easily.

“Yes.”

It surprised me how honest it felt.

She did not rush to fix it or tell me that I would be fine. She simply squeezed my hand again, acknowledging the fear instead of trying to erase it.

Then, after a moment, she tilted her head.

“So.”

The shift was immediate.

I groaned under my breath. “No.”

Her mouth twitched. “You’ve told me about the burglary. Described it in heavy detail. Now I need more than just the cliff notes about Edinburgh.”

I stared at her. “There is nothing to talk about.”

“That’s a lie.”

A weak laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “Okay.”

She tucked both legs beneath herself properly and turned towards me. Her attention sharpened in a way that made it clear there was no chance of escape.