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“I don’t know, there are some cute ones,” I play a hunch, meeting her eyes. “Miles, for example.”
Avery chokes on her water, looking flustered. “What? No. I mean, maybe. I haven’t noticed.”
“You’re blushing!” I crow.
“You have a crush,” Juliet adds, singsong.
“And you two are being immature.” Avery mops herself down and gives us a withering stare. We laugh, but Avery looks thoughtful.
“I don’t know… I wonder, if it’s even possible. Being in this world, wanting something like love…”
Juliet reaches out and squeezes her hand. “It’ll work out if it’s meant to. Things were pretty complicated between me and Caleb for a long time, but look at us now.”
Her eyes meet mine, and I wonder if she’s only saying it for Avery’s benefit.
“How did you know?” I find myself asking. “How did you know it would be worth it, all the chaos and hurt?”
She pauses. “I guess I didn’t. All I knew was that I loved him, enough to fight whatever came our way. Enough to fight for us. I’m glad I stuck it out through the crazy, because I really couldn’t be happier now.”
I feel an ache, a part of me desperately hoping that she’s right. If I take a chance on Nero, if I follow my heart to him, could we have a chance at a happily-ever-after?
Could the drama all be worth it in the end?
* * *
I makeit home a little after one, tipsy and smiling from our night of fun.
“Hello?” I call. The lights are on, but I don’t see Nero anywhere, so I head to the kitchen, stripping off my jacket and kicking my shoes aside as I go. I walk over to the sink and turn on the faucet. I’m so thirsty, I don’t even find a glass, I just duck my head and drink straight from the tap, splashing water all over me.
“Real classy, Lily,” I tell myself, laughing.
“Are you talking to yourself?”
I spin around to see Nero standing there, watching me with a half-smile on his face. He’s so handsome when he smiles, even a little one like this. I wish he’d do it more often.
“Do you see anyone else here?” I ask. “I mean, beside you. But your name’s not Lily, is it?”
Now he chuckles. “No. No, it isn’t.”
He watches as I bend over and take another drink. The cool liquid feels great in my parched throat.
“Did you have fun?” Nero asks.
I grin. “I really did. It was low-key, and I didn’t realize it, but that was exactly what I needed. And Avery is so funny! Did you know that?”
I head toward him. It’s easier to walk now that my heels are off, and I don’t stop until I’m pressed up against Nero, chest to chest.
“I did know that,” he says, but I’ve already forgotten what I was talking about. I’m distracted by the look of desire in his eyes. He wants me. I’m probably a tipsy mess right now, but he wants me.
“Yes, I do.”
“Did I say that out loud?” I giggle, and he nods. His smile is growing.
I run my hand down his chest, tracing the hard muscles beneath his black T-shirt. I thought about having him all to myself for so long during the years we were apart, and now that I can have him any time I want, I don’t know why I’m not sleeping with him every damn night.
My intoxicated mind doesn’t understand these sober decisions I’ve been making.
“Go take a seat,” I tell him, pointing to the living room.
