Page 31 of Fallen Flame

“Exactly.”

“I was trying not to make that worse.”

Her arms lowered slightly.

“But if you can’t stay inside the clubhouse without disappearing, I’m going to have to stay closer to you.”

The moment the words left my mouth, I knew I’d walked into something.

Lark stepped closer.

One step.

Then another.

She stopped directly in front of me and tipped her head back. “That’s exactly what I want, Ollie.”

Her face was only inches from mine. Close enough that I felt the warmth of her breath against my mouth. Close enough that the scent of her shampoo cut through the smoke still clinging to the cold air from the fire pit.

I should’ve stepped back.

I didn’t.

Her eyes held mine.

They were lighter than they looked from across a room, with flecks of gold around the center. Usually, they danced with amusement. Even when she was complaining or irritated, there was always something bright behind them.

Not now.

For one second, I saw something else.

Sadness.

It wasn’t obvious. She didn’t look like she was about to cry, and her mouth still held the faintest trace of a smile, but it was there.

Something quiet and lonely beneath all the jokes.

I didn’t understand it.

Lark was surrounded by people. Ever clearly loved her. Everyone at the Dairy Bar knew her. She walked into a room and made herself part of it before anyone could stop her.

Yet standing inches from me, she looked like someone who expected me to step away.

Our breaths mingled.

Her gaze dropped briefly to my mouth before returning to my eyes.

My hands stayed at my sides, but every part of me was aware of how easy it would’ve been to touch her. To slide one hand around her waist and pull her closer. To find out whether her mouth felt as soft as it looked.

Lark stepped back, and the cool air filled the space she left behind.

“I’m going to bed now.”

I didn’t answer.

She waited a beat. “I promise I’ll ring a bell if I leave my room.”

She winked, turned, and walked toward the clubhouse.