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I listen, and he’s right. It helps. It grounds me, the cool and the condensation on my fingers.
“Walking helps too,” he says. “That’s why I brought you over here.”
“How do you know so much about this?” I tilt my head to the side. “I mean, you said it’s happened before, but why?”
“I have general anxiety disorder,” he says factually. “There are specific triggers, but in my case, it can happen for seemingly no reason as well. I’m medicated, and it’s easier to handle, but I still have my days. On those days… I hike through the woods. But it doesn’t work for everyone. Do you feel better?”
“Yeah. Little bit.”
“Good.” He leans in, curling a piece of my hair around his fingers and easing my head back. “Aurora. Look up.”
With everything going on in my head, I nearly forgot…
But I see it now.
The shower.
Stars fly in brilliant white stripes, glowing soft purple and yellow. Tears well in my eyes. Each star is silent, but they’re in motion, the way they used to appear when I used my magic.
When my father was still here.
A soft gasp passes through my lips.
“You timed the ritual perfectly,” he whispers. “Magic is still in you.”
When I lower my gaze to look at him, he’s not looking at the sky. He’s staring straight at me. It doesn’t feel like there’s such a heavy weight in my body as I force myself to my feet and attempt, futilely, to hoist his large figure up with me.
“What are we doing?” he asks, laughing in a way I’ve never heard before.
Carefree. Loud.
“Dancing.” I lift my hands over my head and twirl around. “Come on. You have to dance with me? This is my version of hiking in the woods.”
This is what I did after I first lost my father. Out every night, partying. Maybe it’s not as healthy as Sterling’s hikes, but it’s freeing, and that’s what I needed. Sometimes, I still need it.
Like now.
And he’s still laughing. Maybe he needs this, too. “Okay, okay.”
He remains perfectly still, not actually moving with me, but he holds my hand, helping me twirl. Close enough to dancing, I guess.
I’m breathless when he pulls me into his chest, my hands against soft flesh and harder muscles. He gazes down at me, and I lift myself onto my tiptoes, staring up at the beauty of the sky and at him.
“Can we kiss now?” I whisper, fighting every part of me that wants to pretend I didn’t embarrass myself.
The lump in his throat bobs, and he touches the side of my face with his rough fingers. It only lasts a moment before his hand drops. “Everyone will see.”
They’re still far enough away and probably not paying attention, but he’s right. The picnic could begin any minute.
“That’s true.” I smile tightly.
“Gods. Aurora, I want to kiss you, but I need to make sure you really want this, and it’s not—”
“I do. I want to.”
Before I can prove my words, hordes begin wandering over to the area. The picnic is beginning. He doesn’t jump away, disproving my worries that he doesn’t want to be seen with me.
Sterling stays close, even when someone else approaches.
