Page 82 of All I Want

"Kids gotta learn the birds and the bees sometime."

I stifled a snort of laughter, looking into Liam's eyes again to meet his gaze. He cracked a grin and gestured to one of the booths with a nod of his head.

"Want to go get your face painted like a cat?" he asked.

"I'd much rather see you as a cat," I said. "Cute pink nose, whiskers and all."

"Only if you swear to not take pictures."

"No promises."

Liam took my hand in his and squeezed. I returned it.

The crack inside me began to close. Not completely, and not quickly, but it was closing, growing smaller. Small enough to keep the darkness from escaping.

For now.