n entered last, wearing sunglasses indoors. Emily didn't dare approach, but she did peek from the kitchen. Naturally, though, Jack

is breath, "She's als

ardly r

uds in, head tilted back with his

idn't smile. Didn't frown. Just... studied her

htly, "You're

l alive, thanks to

hed. "I di

't," he cut in,

but he held up a hand. "Whatever. Just do

sheepish smi

ceived an invitation to attend Wendy's movie premiere, complete with fron

ctricity beneath the surface as they all crammed

to himself about what he would do if Wendy proposed to him. As soon as they left the venue,

de like a shadow. Constantly calm, Mason walked as if he owned the carpet. But wh

she purred.

nod. "Of course. It'

endy link arms with Mason and guide hi

ks. The fans screamed louder. And E

er a moment later.

She stood on the rooftop balcony i

Mason was behind her, arms crossed, lookin

't sleep,

use o

" She shrugged, "It's not exact

e a fak

ent with the cool breeze blowin

d, "Do you think I

ly. "Yes. But you're here a

do this. For my brother. Fo

or a long time. Then fin

blin

ever mess this up and I get d

e out yourself?

faintest smil

again. There was something delic

y felt her chest

A

ammed open. Jackson

N AND ETHAN ARE DATING!!!

from her face. Mason c

son, whose phone screen was already

looked

They bo

article with a headline that read: "Zero Saints's Ethan

ving Mason a bouquet in the hospital without e

"Oh no... I was unaware t

"It seems the paparazzi have been fol

rs, so what?" Crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes

n't say anything...But, um... it's kinda ro

red that could rival a strawb

tly, It was not like that. It was a ridiculous misunderstandi

thin line, "Still... it's out there now.

"There's already over 50,000 comments. Some fans thi

asped.

w intense the fandom can be, Ethan. If they think

on interrupte

ry, Mason. I just wanted to cheer you up. I had

not your fault. But we need to address

already received calls from several news outlets. The

ld be romantically connected to a man? We need to

do whatever it takes

a plan with Wendy and sat before a room full of

t Ethan and Mas

ntre of it all, Mason Brookes, in the middle of the chaos, calm and still. He was standing beside her. Wendy. Perfec

Ethan in a

er hospital v

cret romance i

But his eyes flickered-for the

... towa

way. Half-hidden behind a

idn't

k to the crow

n-he le

ched behind

kisse

s flashed like lightni

, tilting her head like she had jus

er breath le

t.

chest as if to keep he

owly pul

't say

s eyes meeting Emily's for

he look

couldn

n't b

except the way her world s

eamed. Flashbulbs burst l