Chapter 69

EMILIA

Evening rolls in faster than I expect, and somehow—I’m actually having fun. More than fun, even. I’m smiling. Laughing. And I don’t even have to pretend.

At some point, Liam convinced me that a walking tour was a brilliant idea. And—annoyingly—he was right.

“The scenery here is unreal,” I whisper, eyes soaking in the golden sky, the cobblestone path, the way the light hits the buildings just right. What I don’t say is that he’s half the reason everything feels beautiful.

He leans down to answer, voice close to my ear—always my right ear. Ever since I told him I’m half-deaf in my left, he’s never once stood on that side. Never had to be reminded.

“Better than wasting daylight in the shade, huh?”

“Not a chance.”

We were able to find a store to get dry clothes, thankfully my old ones weren’t exactly favorites of mine.

Actually, I think the shirt was a gift from Zane. Good riddance.

“You can never let me win, huh? If it really