Chapter 86. I Want to Be There

Rae:

The sun’s out. Warm. Gentle.

I sit cross-legged on the floor cushion, my back resting against the balcony rail. The smell of spiced meat lingers, mixing with the citrus scent from the lemonade pitcher beside Eliza. Kieran’s halfway through his third plate, groaning about how full he is but still reaching for more.

“I swear,” Eliza mutters, shaking her head as she stabs another grilled tomato with her fork, “you eat like you’re prepping for hibernation.”

Kieran pats his stomach. “I’m a growing boy.”

“Growing wide, maybe,” I toss back, and the whole group bursts into laughter.

S is next to me, quiet, but there’s a subtle lift to his lips. He’s watching us—no, watching me. I nudge his knee under the table and he finally breaks into a smile. He looks better today. Less pale. Though the bruises still mark his cheek and neck.

He leans in and whispers, “You’re glowing.”

I roll my eyes but my lips twitch. “It’s the sun.”