So, like a coward, I stay quiet and savor holding her tight. I hate that Bea’s upset, but I love that she needs me. That somehow I became safe, the person she leans into. Breathing her in, I shut my eyes, resting my cheek on the crown of her head. For a moment, the world is only her, close and warm and soft, the scent of figs and smoky sandalwood. Her fingers clutch my shirt as I bend and brush my lips against hers.

She draws in a breath, pressing on tiptoes to bring us closer. A groan rolls up my throat as she wraps her arms around my neck, her fingers slipping through my hair, scraping along my scalp. My mouth falls open as I draw her tight against me, my hands settling along the swell of her hips, showing her what she does to me, how urgent everything becomes when Bea and I kiss.

Time compresses and bends and dissolves, until all that exists is Bea’s hands and Bea’s mouth, and every sweet give and curve of Bea’s soft body against the hard planes of mine. Until it’s all just her.

Bea.

It’s the word my thoughts beg, the sound of need singing in my veins. It’s all there is until a wolf whistle breaks the moment, making us wrench apart.

Bea stares at me. A soft, careful smile tips her mouth.

“Cornelius take good care of you?” she asks.

I nod, smoothing back a strand of hair I tugged loose from her bun while kissing her. She watches me as I fix the damage, as my thumb trails her jaw. “Yes.”

“Good.” The smile tightens as I hitch her bag higher on my shoulder.

“I’m going to go put this in your room, so it’s safe.”

She nods. “I’ll come with. Say hi to the hedgie.”

We walk down the hallway, into her room, where I enjoyed sitting on her bed before she arrived, taking in the countless colorful details, trying to figure out why I like Bea’s brand of chaos so much.

“Hi, bud,” she says to Cornelius, stroking along his back. He waddles across his tiny home and crawls onto her hands. “Sorry I was such a mess when I came in.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Bea. But I wish you’d tell me what’s upsetting you.”

She swallows slowly, eyes still on Cornelius. “Are you seeing your ex at all?”

“What? No. God, no.” Worry cements in my stomach. “Why are you asking me that?”

“I think I met her tonight. And after we saw her at Boulangerie, it just . . . made me nervous.”

I step closer, wanting to reassure with more than words but unsure if I should. “I promise you, Bea. It was pure coincidence. I have no interest in being with her.”