Page 65 of Don't Be in Love

“I’m glad we can agree on something.”

“Me too.”

Her lips remained tightly closed until I was releasing her and pulling her back into my chest. Then her mouth opened.

“Did James tell you I was here?” she asked.

“What?” I needed to start keeping count of how often she brought up James.

“James—is that how you knew where to find me?”

“I didn’t need anyone to tell me how to find you. I saw you leaning against the balcony. Your back is practically painted in my brain.” I hated how much I had her memorized. I hated how much overtime my brain was running to remember her while I slept, injecting it into my dreams.

I expected retaliation. But nothing came. Only a bright rim of gray painted around her iris that lit with surprise. As if I told her I knew her deepest secret and planned to release it on dove-delivered letters.

She searched my face and then plagued every thought by staring at my mouth.

My hand twitched on her lower back.

What if she was lying? What if she did want this?

I’m not capable of loving you,she had said.

The music halted and she was creating distance between us faster than I could think.

22

Don’t Sit In Between Them — Adelaide

Spotting Mia and Sabrina in the crowd, I followed their path out of the ballroom and into the dining room where three long tables fit for serving an army spanned the space.

A hand brushed my wrist as I passed over the threshold. I jerked it back, expecting to find Dorian.

“There you are, we never got to dance,” James said, his mask pushed over his hair.

“I know, I’m so sorry. I really just needed some air,” I winced, hoping he, and everyone else, hadn’t realized I was with Dorian.

“It’s alright, there’s always another ball or gala to dance at.” He laughed. “Come, let’s sit.”

Before I could find Mia or Sabrina, James was pulling out two seats at the center of the table for us.

“Have your thoughts on holidays changed yet?” he asked.

“Oh Jameson, I’m not that easy.” I smoothed out the hair on the top of my head as I pulled my own mask off.

“Come on, you can’t say you aren’t having fun.”

“Maybe a little.” I pinched the air.

He laughed, shaking his head. His smile twinkled under the chandelier.

I reached for his hand on the arm of the chair. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“It wouldn’t have been worth coming if you weren’t here.” He squeezed my hand back. His gaze skipped from my face to a space behind me. “There he is. I haven’t seen you all night!” He stood, taking a few steps from the table.

“Sorry, I was busy arguing with—”

I turned around at the sound of his voice. James stepped to the side just enough, halting Dorian’s sentence.