Page 81 of Inked Heart
“It absolutely is.”
“I’m observing.”
“That’s my line.”
I smile and lean slightly against the counter beside him.“You’re very observant today.”
“I always am.You just didn’t notice before.”
“That’s probably true.”
Across the room Skye suddenly throws her hands into the air.“See?Even Quinn agrees with me!”
“I did not agree with anything,” I call back.
“You’re clearly on my side.”
“About pineapple on pizza?”
“Yes.”
“Well, then, yes.”
Alistair groans.“Traitor.”
Everyone laughs.And just like that the moment settles into something warm and comfortable again.This place has a rhythm and a life of its own.And somehow I fit into it now.
Not as a visitor.Not as the girl who occasionally brings cupcakes.But as someone who belongs.
“You’re smiling again,” Damien says.
“I do that sometimes.”
“More lately.”
I glance at him.“I smile when I’m happy.You’re responsible for that.”
“I’ll take the credit.”
“You should.”
He looks pleased with that answer.I’ve noticed something about Damien over the last few weeks.He doesn’t demand attention and he doesn’t dominate conversations, but he notices everything.
Every shift in someone’s mood.Every small detail.Every moment that might matter.Which means he noticed the change in me almost immediately.The lighter feeling.The way my shoulders don’t feel so tense all the time.The way I laugh more easily.
“You know what’s weird?”I say.
“What?”
“I thought breaking up with Emette would destroy me.”
“That would have been understandable.”
“But it didn’t.”
He nods slowly.“Sometimes the thing that hurts the most also sets you free.”
“You’ve been saving that line, haven’t you?”
