Page 11 of Rite of Unity

“He only has one match left.”Josh let his hand drop.“Could be you, Ruthie.”

Ruthie?

Her cheeks flamed bright pink, and her gaze darted to me.“Josh interned with my father…” She looked down.“His sophomore year of college.”

Josh's eyes didn't leave Ruth's face.She missed it, too busy watching me for my reaction.

I straightened.“Well,” I said lightly.“I’d like to meet him.”

Josh’s smile widened.“Great.”

Ruth accepted Josh's hand and pulled me with her through the packed room.We stopped beside a crowd of preening women, all pressing together.As if they could form a shield around him and keep the rest of the world out.

But their defenses were no match for an old friend.

“Hale.”

Elias turned, piercing blue eyes sliding past Josh before locking on me.My cheeks burned under that gaze, and I took an involuntary step back as he pushed through the flock of women and stopped beside Josh.

“Silva.It’s been a minute.”

The two men clasped hands, Josh dropping Ruth’s before pulling Elias into a hug.

“Thanks for the invite.I haven’t been to the Middle since my last community service project.”

My eyes cut to him before I could stop them.

I pinched my mouth shut to keep from commenting on the rudeness of that statement.Had he forgotten he was standing in his friend’s home?In the Middle.

The corner of his mouth shifted.Just barely.Like he'd seen something he hadn't expected, but it was gone so fast I wasn’t sure if I’d imagined it.

They continued their conversation, oblivious to the crowd gathering around us.Bodies pressed closer until the space between us tightened like a noose—close enough that I could smell him.

For a moment, his scent overpowered everything else in the room.It wasn’t perfume or soap.Just something masculine I couldn’t quite place.Dark, fresh, reminding me of clean cotton.

“Oh, hey.This is Ruth and…” Josh and Elias turned the full weight of both their gazes on me.Side by side, broad shoulders nearly touching, it was easy to see why they’d become friends.

My gaze darted between them, lingering too long on Elias’s sharp jawline, the slope of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed.Was he… nervous?

“Maryn Veil.”

“Veil.Hale.That rhymes.”Josh nudged Elias, but he wasn’t looking at Josh.He was staring at me.Through me.And somehow, I felt more exposed than I ever had before.

I cleared my throat, giving myself a moment.“A pleasure to meet you.”

He said nothing.Still staring.I clasped my hands behind my back, running my thumb over the tips of my fingers.Count to five, Maryn.Don’t look away.

His gaze dropped, and he turned to Ruth.“Ruth, would you like to dance?”

I exhaled and released my friend.She nearly flung herself into his arms, and they disappeared into the crowd.In moments, our group thinned, and soon, Josh and I were the only two left standing side by side, watching as Elias spun Ruth expertly around the room.

Josh looked at me and held out a hand.

“You should ask her,” I said, not giving him a chance to speak.

“What?”

“You should ask her to match with you before someone else does.”