our: Cros

behind her ear as she scanned the shelves for a book Maya had recommended on color theory. The a

xpected to s

i

ainst the chair. He had that same thoughtful look she'd seen

ted, heart

ce whispered

rinning. "You're not goin

thering her courage. "N

m, Liam looked up, surpr

id, his voice

he replied, f

e empty seat acro

he seat, her sketchboo

ked at each other, the nois

artist behind that sketch I

eeks warm. "Yea

d quietly. "Like you s

ing the edge of her sk

een them, broken only by the rustl

ival families felt less like a barrier and mo