rations. Instead, it settled into Lily's life quietly, like a soft hum beneath everything she did. She felt it when she unlocked the do

at her-as though she was something pre

ch passing day. Leaves clung stubbornly to branches, their edges tinged with gold and rust, as if reluctant to let go of summer. Lily l

e register and rearranging a display of romance novels she'd already rearranged twi

hol

he told her he loved her. Not dr

oor chimed, pulling

ed up an

aper bag tucked under his arm. His presence still startled

e said, lift

that's another pastry, yo

g. "Almond croissant. And coffe

oftened. "You're

e said, and meant mor

d about a book he'd picked up from her shelves the night before; Lily teased him about dog-

sensed something else-a tensi

las glanced toward the

toward the edge of town, where the streets thinned into gravel paths and open fields. The silence betwee

ng about what you

at him. "

sed, then added, "I think I've spent mo

. "You don't have to l

eply, a voice cut

cho

both

r expression carefully neutral, dark hair pulled back in a style that spoke of control rather th

las f

a," h

ed heavily in

Nicholas. "I didn't know you were still her

olas replied. "U

a moment. Lily felt suddenly aware of herself, of the way she stood beside Nich

to her. "You

, offering a poli

," Clara said.

urge to step bac

his throat. "Cl

s lingering on their intertwined hands. "I

rip tightene

owed, taut w

ays," Clara said finally. "Wr

e phrase ech

hing her coat, "it was une

and walked away, heels clicki

, neither Lily no

ay?" Lily a

expect that. I didn't realize how

curled inside her. "You d

said immediately. "She was

ring but doubt had al

tore. Clara's image replayed in her mind-confident, polished, deeply woven into Ni

She knew how quickly

olas noticed her d

said as they walked t

e knew you before

me I don't want to be

face him. "I'm not afraid of co

xpression earnest. "History do

tries to," s

"Then let me pro

air as neighbors gathered, children chasing each other between stalls. Nicholas and Lily wande

ase, Lily wrote a s

ur

ise beside his, glowi

ou wish for

"The braver

felt something settle within her. L

e chos