“Next time,” I whispered, “if you’re protecting somebody else’s hope, just tell me that’s what you’re doing. Tell me that much, at least.”
He looked down at me. “I will.”
“And next time,” he said, squeezing my hand, “I’ll remember your peace of mind comes first. Before anyone else’s secret.”
I’ll remember your peace of mind comes first.
I rested my head against his shoulder as Gordon accidentally stepped on Charlotte’s foot, and she burst out laughing and kissed his cheek anyway, right there in front of everyone.
“You know,” I whispered.
“What?”
“Last night really was perfect.”
Elliot watched Gordon try, and fail, and try again, a smile spreading slowly across his own face. “Almost.” Then he looked down at me. “Now it actually is.”
— END —
