~Jennie’s~

“You’re not the same person anymore.”

I say it before I even realize it’s left my mouth.

Reo lifts his head from where he’s standing by the fireplace, and his eyes search mine like I’ve just handed him a flame he doesn’t know how to hold. The room smells like leather-bound books and fresh rain, and for some reason, that scent makes my throat tighten.

He steps forward, slower than usual, and the quiet between us spreads like ink on silk.

“You… you looked beautiful tonight,” he murmurs. His voice is low, like he’s scared to say it too loud. “More than beautiful. You were…” He trails off and...