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He turns to Malakai, something in his expression makes the relief die before it fully forms. “Can she leave?”

I freeze.

Malakai says nothing.

Ezra’s voice hardens. “Can she leave?”

“I don’t know.”

My stomach sinks. “Why wouldn’t I be able to?”

The silence that follows is answer enough.

A humorless laugh escapes me. “Fantastic.”

I grab Mariah and Ali. “We’re trying.”

Ezra leads us through the barn while Rhett falls in line behind us. Malakai stays at my side, close enough that his arm brushes mine whenever the crowd forces us together.

Every accidental touch sends warmth skittering across my skin.

I hate that I notice. I hate that my body remembers his mouth when my brain is currently occupied with human teeth growing out of fucking flowers. And I especially hate the small, deeply inappropriate part of me that wonders what would’ve happened if the Earth hadn’t started screaming.

I glance at him.

Mistake.

He’s already watching me.

My stomach tightens.

Not now. Absolutely not fucking now.

His gaze drops briefly to my mouth.

Oh, fuck him.

I look forward. “Don’t.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You were thinking.”

“You don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Yes, I do.”

“What was I thinking?”

I cut him a look. “That you want to kiss me again.”

His expression remains perfectly calm. “Yes.”

My stomach fucking flips.

Asshole.

“See?”