The evening breeze was cool and brisk, the ends of my hair swishing against my chin. I gathered my short locks with my hand, tucking them into my collar so they wouldn't keep flying around my face. So I could have something to distract myself with. Niko was at least several inches from me, but my pulse was frantic and wild. It felt as though our skin were touching, as though there was no space between us.
I gripped the railings to steady myself, my knuckles white against the metal. I was itching to ask him, but the fear of him thinking I would be too nosy was greater.
I paused. Had I really arrived at this point where I'd care about such trivial things? This was Nikolas. Just a boy. Just a . . .
Goddesses damned it. This dilemma would end quickly if I'd dive right into the river and disappear. The thought was shameful. When had I become such a coward?
