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Finally, by the end of the day, I can’t take it anymore. I have to know what’s going on with her.
Once rehearsal has been officially called, I sidle up to her while she’s taking a sip from her water bottle.
“Hey, dove, everything okay?” I bump her shoulder with mine trying to get her to come out of her shell. “I know this might sound strange, but you went out with Brecken last night, and today you’ve been... off. Did something happen?”
She looks at me then, wide-eyed. Oh, that’s it. Should have known a player like him would eff things up for all of us. Or at least me.
“He make a move on you?” I ask, not interested in shying away from anything. “A move you didn’t want?”
“It wasn’t like that,” she says, her voice soft. She dips her chin and tucks a piece of hair behind her ear.
Melanie is clapping her hands and thanking us for a great job today, then she’s headed out the door. I look around and Arrow and North are stretching, and Brecken and Vaughn are going over the dance sequence Melanie had us working through today.
I can tell she is comfortable with me, and we walk over to the side of the room where we can have more privacy. “It’s just,” she starts. “I feel...”
I put an arm around her shoulder, bumping her shoulder. “Bird, you can tell me what you mean. You don’t need to be nervous with me.”
“I’m not nervous, I’m just, well, I feel a little bad. I kissed you...” She looks over and sees Arrow and North and Vaughn. Then her eyes fall on Brecken. “Listen, Sawyer, I kissed Brecken. And I shouldn’t have kissed two different guys in two different days. And the last thing any of us needs is to mess up this show.”
“Oh,” I say, beginning to understand her. But this bird has nothing to worry about. “You’re nervous Brecken and I are going to fight it out and ruin everything?”
“Well, are you?”
I shake my head. “No. It’s not like that with us.”
“Yeah, Brecken mentioned you guys were one for all, all for one... but does that really apply to this situation?”
“Do you want it to? Because, Lark, we are here for you.” “That’s what has me worried.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Yeah?”
Lark runs a hand through her long black hair. “Maybe we could go out and talk?”
“Are you asking me out?” I ask, with my jaw dropped feigning shock.
She smacks me in the chest playfully. “Don’t make this harder for me than it needs to be. I just want to chill out tonight, and you guys make me feel so relaxed.”
I nod. “I see. Not just us then, you mean the five of us?” “Sorry, I mean I’d love to go out with you too, but...”
“No, it’s fine. Let’s get takeout and bring the party upstairs.” Lark twists her lips. “You think North will be okay with that?” “North can get over himself.”
She bites her bottom lip, eyebrows raised in surprise.
“Do you have any idea how badly I want to kiss you again?” I ask, watching that lip of hers as she bites down. It’s so damn sexy.
“No clue.”
She runs a hand through her hair, eyes back to the floor. “Maybe you can show me upstairs.”
Her words catch me off guard. Now it’s my turn to playfully shove her shoulder. “Are you asking to come to my bedroom?” I ask slowly.
Lark’s cheeks flare red and I chuckle, loving her reaction. Then she looks straight at me as if she’s mustered her confidence. “What would you say if I told you that’s exactly what I want?”
I grin, taking her hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
* * *
WHILE LARK IS in the ensuite bathroom, North starts in on us.
“I told you, we can’t get close to her. If our emotions get involved, it will make it more difficult for us to protect her.”
“Protect me from what?” Lark asks stepping into the living room.
“See,” North says. “This is exactly what I’m talking about.
Gaia told us that specifically. We have one job.”
Lark sits on the couch, crossing her legs. I take my place right next to her, feeling protective.
She sighs. “Look, I know you’re having some big boy talk, but listen, I’m done with secrets. I’m not playing hide and seek.”
I love the way she tosses words back at him. Even if she is small and sweet, she has a backbone. But North can’t stand it.
“I’m not doing this, talking about it,” North says. “It would be breaking my promise to Gaia.”
“But you’re okay with breaking trust with Lark?” Arrow asks.
We all turn and look at him. He rarely speaks his mind. He’s always quiet, and sometimes it kind of freaks me out, to be honest. I may have known him my whole life, but he never puts anyone in check.
