Page 88 of Rite of Unity

“He was terrible at it.”

A sound from the closet—suspiciously like a snort—had her glancing up, and I coughed loudly, my heart hammering as I worked to slow my breathing.

“You can really hear everything in here.”

I glared at the wall.“Mmmhmm.”

“Is that Beth’s room?

I nodded.

Nami covered her mouth.“I snore in my sleep.Do you think Lydia can hear it?”

I shrugged helplessly.

“Well, anyway.What about you?What did you do for your first date?”

I glanced at the closet, my throat suddenly dry.

“Just dinner.”

Nami frowned.“Oh.”

I nodded.

“I hope it was good at least?”

I touched my finger to my lips.“He sent it back, actually.”

Her hand sank deeper into the bed.“Why?”

“I don’t like steak.”

Nami’s mouth fell open.“And you justtoldhim?”

I nodded.Something flashed across her face.A darkness I couldn’t name.

I glanced at the bedroom door, the silence suddenly thick between us.

“I’m going to get breakfast.”She stood.“Want to come with me?”

“I need to shower.Maybe later?”

She stopped, hand on the door, and turned back to me.“Hey Maryn?”

“Yeah?”

“We can be friends… if you want.”

I smiled.“I’d like that.”

The warmth of it lasted only until I rememberedhewas still there.Listening.

When she’d gone, Calden tore the closet door aside.He looked me over.“You hate steak?”

I fluffed my pillow, sliding back on my bed.“It’s none of your business.”

He dropped onto the bed beside me, stuffing my other pillow behind his head.