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“That’s not the kiss of someone ‘cute,’” Dane says. “That’s the kiss of a fucking stunning woman who impresses me, who makes me laugh, who’s got more grit in her little finger than most people will show in their whole damn lives.”
I’m blushing and hot all over, and I never want him to stop.
But Dane isn’t content with compliments alone.
“Who tells you these lies?” he says, looking into my eyes. “Is it you or somebody else?”
“I dunno.” I drop his gaze. “I’ve always had this feeling like I’m not quite right or I just don’t belong. It got worse when I lost my parents. I wasn’t ready to be on my own. And I definitely wasn’t ready to be responsible for someone else.”
“But you made it work anyway. And that’s why I admire you.”
My chest burns. “Really?”
“Yeah. When my life went to shit, I fell apart. I barely left this house for a year. If Atlas didn’t bring me food and make me eat, I probably would have starved. I couldn’t have taken care of some little brother. Definitely couldn’t have held down a job.”
“Well…” I say softly. “What happened to you was worse.”
“There is no ‘worse’ when it comes to losing the people you love.” Dane wraps his arms around me and gives me the kind of hug that could prevent a war if all the right people could get it. The kind that makes you feel comforted head to toe. “Come on, let’s get you something to eat.”
* * *
We pad downstairs,both of us dressed in Dane’s clothes with the addition of my dad’s shirt.
Dane heats up the pizza in his air fryer, which makes it even more crispy than when it was fresh out of the oven at The Slice Factory. I’m pleased to see that Dane doesnotpick off his toppings but has the bravery to sample my slightly unorthodox combination.
“Know what I’d add to this?” he says, taking another huge bite. “Roasted red pepper.”
“God, you just can’t help being fancy.”
He laughs. “It’d be good, though.”
“Sounds fucking delicious,” I admit.
By the time we’re done eating, it’s past midnight.
Dane tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. “Are you tired?”
“Surprisingly, no…I think I’m adjusting to your clock.”
“Good,” he says, smiling a little. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to show you.”
We leave the bits of leftover crust on the table, and Dane takes my hand, leading me out through the kitchen door to the back garden.
??Aurora - Snow in April
I’ve seen his garden before, from a distance, and thought it rather drab. But that’s because I’d only seen it in the daytime.
As soon as we walk out into the cool, damp air, I’m surrounded by the pale blossoms of moonflower and night-blooming jasmine. As we walk deeper into the garden, into the parts overhung by heavy, mossy trees, I see the spectral glow of bioluminescence. On the broken stumps, growing up the trunks of the trees, and on the hanging, mossy branches, thick clusters of mushrooms and toadstools give off the faint glow of purple, orange, and turquoise. Tiny fireflies float in the air like flecks of gold.
It’s eerie and ethereal, beautiful and haunting, like Dane himself. A night garden for the night doctor.
I spin in place in this midnight wonderland of glowing light and deepest shadow, in this world that feels separate from any other because it was made by Dane.
“It’s magical,” I say, turning to take his hand.
“You like it?” He’s nervous, only half believing.
I pull down my plaid shirt off my shoulder to show him the tattoo of moths and mushrooms running down my arm. “I’ve always liked fungi better than flowers.”
