Page 203 of Terms of Exposure
I looked down at the purple elephant tucked under my arm. At our joined hands. At the lights blurring past like streaks of paint.
"I'm okay," I said. "Really. This is just… a lot."
"Good a lot or bad a lot?"
I considered it.
Garrett would have demanded an answer. Pushed until I gave him something he could use—reassurance or ammunition.
Sebastian just waited.
"Good a lot," I said.
I hesitated.
"I think."
He squeezed my hand once before letting it go. "Good."
We caught up with Emma and Damien near a bench overlooking the fairgrounds, the lights scattered below us like a shaken snow globe.
Damien was talking about an apple orchard they should visit in the fall—already mapping out the next memory.
Emma nodded along, bright and certain.
"Are you guys ready to head out?" I asked.
Emma glanced at her phone. "Already? It's only nine."
Sebastian patted his medical boot. "Beatrice is getting tired."
"You named your boot?"
"We've been through a lot together," he explained. "I figured she deserved one."
Emma rolled her eyes, but she gathered her giant crocodile, the tail dragging on the ground. Damien snatched it from her hands, the animal comically small in comparison.
"I can carry it," Emma protested.
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because I want to." He said it simply.
Emma's cheeks went pink.
Sebastian made a gagging noise. I elbowed him in the ribs.
The walk back to the car was slower, all of us heavy with exhaustion and sugar.
The crowds had thinned. Families heading home. Parking lot emptying.
Ahead, Emma leaned into Damien's side. His arm wrapped around her. He adjusted his pace to match hers—shorter steps, slower rhythm.
Sebastian's hand found mine again. Hidden in the dark.
This was dangerous. Too soon. Too much.
