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“Expected what?”

Maybe dig yourself a deeper hole, Lena.

“I dunno.” I hated lying to Nolan. “I just get the sense there’s an edge to you I never knew about.”

And there it was.

Riven’s stare. One that went right through you. That showed he might not be gentle but it would feel really, really good. That my core actually clenched in anticipation exchanging a look with my best friend was bonkers.

Madness.

And yet, it wasn’t at all.

The last note of the song lingered, low and rough, as did his gaze.

“Careful, Lena,” he said, his voice like gravel and honey. “You keep looking at me like that, and people are gonna start talking.”

“Let them,” I murmured.

He blinked, then laughed.

A soft, surprised laugh. And so utterly him it unraveled me.

For the first time since everything started, I didn’t feel caught between worlds. I felt exactly where I belonged.