Wingless;

xed S

over in my head-I'll always be around, through every high and low-each line sliding down my spine like ice. The door was locked. The curtains were

Argentina? My stomach twisted, and I was sure now that it was someone from outside who had closely followed me. Some

ght from it making me flinch. I crawled to

ance. My pulse jumped, my f

sample designs today. Are you free to

ween disbelief and dread. Arthur Vance was texti

f whoever was watching me had my number to

No. This was work

I'll see you

ne down carefully. My eyes

___

I'd spent most of the night staring at

re the dark circles under my eyes. I got dressed in a blazer and

ing myself in work to keep my thoughts from spiraling. Arthur had mentioned specs, so I prep

there was Arthur. Hair slightly tousled, jacket slung

said, genuinely

d, standing, surprised by

kip the formal stuff." He nodded t

miling back. "I m

nges. He leaned in, close enough that I caught a hint of his c

he shelving's perfect. And the mirror is exactly w

Arthur. I wanted it to be functional

Come on, let's walk while we talk." He gestured toward a quieter ar

ghting, layouts, color palettes

sked lightly, "who

ng not to get distracted by the way his eyes crinkled when he smile

said with a soft tease. "Tha

laughed, though it c

t me. "Is your fa

mile slipped before I could stop it, the color d

that. I didn't mean to pry. Honestly, I was just

ng in a slow breath. "It's just... the

everything, but lying didn't feel right either. If this ever be

mind me asking, then who do you live with? I

the heat, and we sat down. I chose my words carefully. "No, you've got the wro

ry to control me, to push me toward a life I didn'

it. So who do you stay with? A boyfriend?" His brows lifted sli

if you can't tell already," I said, a small laugh slipping out. "I live with my maternal g

ight up when you talk about him

ly does. I miss him already. I hav

thur said, leaning back. "Alrig

ut the internet already covers the basic

ld knows whatever sliver I let it

version," I said, rest

me off guard. This wasn't the man from headlines and interviews; this was someone softer, grounded, and deeply grateful. Hearing him spe

said when he finished. "I'd

make it happen," he said with a grin th

ied to sound casual, but my pulse definitely wasn't. There was no record of it on the we

aw tightening, then easing. "No," he s

hrough me, warm

irt from his hands.

ether. When we split off into sepa

he way he'd asked about my life felt pers

--

in a makeshift lounge near the

ut and ridiculously charming grin.

in. "Tell me what you guys n

troking his scruffy beard. "Big on

d," I

Jake added. "I l

, rolling his eyes. "

d," I said

nd forth until I found myself smiling. I jotted down their req

--

d the horizon, I was running on fumes. Arthur's attent

turned

fr

laughing as if he'd just whispered the funniest joke in the wor

her too. Charming, gentle, and humble. It wasn't sp

st embarrassment. I slipped past unnoticed;

the same one I'd felt last night. Like someone's eyes were glued to me from

ked off my shoes, collapsed onto the bed, and exhal

from Lara: Stephan sent a dress fo

for something nice

ember handed me two sleek, ribboned bo

itement fluttering... unti

with a white, unlabeled envelope. My hea

_____