Chapter 77

It wasn’t the first time her mind had entertained the thought. She’d been tiptoeing around the idea for days, not willing to let it take root. Because she knew that there was a very real possibility she would end up hurting and alone if it backfired.

She was just getting ready to venture downstairs to find Cedric when there was a knock at her door. It was probably Juliet, coming to get her lunch tray.

She swung the door open, but it was Cedric standing in the hallway.

She could play this two ways. She could act indignant and try to make him feel badly for the way he had treated her, which would probably only make things more uncomfortable between them, or she could accept things for what they were, and make the best of the time they had together.

She smiled. “Hi.”

“Hi.” For a minute he just looked at her, probably trying to decide if she was mad at him. Then he asked, “Are you feeling better?”

She turned up the wattage on her smile. Even if she wa