Binding Hearts

learned to stop

tion every shade, every imperfect line. Expectations made her believe people s

inting for other people. No more wait

d y

ts after the gala, still

an

But the way he looked at it-like it demanded something from him-wasn't the kind o

e-sipping crowd who tossed around words like "bo

ant it. She

nto the living room in socks and a robe, holdin

yn didn't look up f

in suits with storm cl

entionally. But there he was, in quick, impatient strokes: tall, square-shoul

ot him,"

side her. "Okay. Sure. But if it were him, and you were

have his

"Didn't you exc

ok a sip of her

riou

to ruin it," E

"You mean you didn't wan

didn't

that was

than she expected. Mo

eld stillness, like it was armor. The way he stood in front of Unspoken Nois

fighting with herself for months. She never thought someone like him

ry felt quieter wit

the noise here-the low hum of conversation, the hiss of espresso machines

d set up by the window, s

e felt something. A

glanc

saw

t, his hair slightly damp. He looked around the room slowly, li

just a flicker,

reath

mall, unsure,

nd, say anything, he turned. Walk

onfusion settled li

had h

ty doorway for a long

hat old familiar feeling stirred-