Page 194 of Scattered Glitter

“Oh, look. There’s Orion’s Belt.” I point out the three stars in a row, watching his gaze follow mine.

His lips curve up. “Areyouinto stars?”

I hesitate, knowing I should answer with something generic, something safe. Keep it surface-level. But when I look at Nicholas’s open expression, the words that come out are real, unfiltered. “I always wanted to study astronomy. I wanted to work with stars somehow, find my place among them,” I say, my voice softer with vulnerability than I mean it to be. It catches me off guard, and I almost wish I could take it back.

Nicholas doesn’t look at me like I’m less for it. He simply smiles, and somehow, that smile loosens something tight in my chest.

Maybe it’s okay to let him see a little more.Just a little.

“So, why didn’t you?”

I shrug, hugging myself. “Life changed.”

We’re silent for another moment, and a shiver creeps up my spine as I look back up. A falling star streaks across the sky.

“Did you see that?” I exclaim, pointing it out while grabbing his biceps with my other hand, squeezing it as I turn to look at him. “Make a wish!”

I press my eyes shut and make one myself.

Wishing for a reality where this could be real, where we could be.

When I open my eyes to look at him, he’s already watching me, almost as if he’d rather look at me than the stars.

He chuckles, his gaze drifting to where my hand rests on his arm, his fingers inching over until they settle over mine, anchoring us there. He turns fully toward me, our hands lingering together as he tucks a stray piece of hairbehind my ear with his other hand, his fingertips brushing my cheek before he cradles my face. “Would you rather always wonderwhat ifor regretif only?”

I don’t know who moves first. One second, we’re looking at each other, and the next, our lips meet—soft and warm, tasting faintly of salt from the fries and sweet from whatever’s just him. He pulls me closer, his hand slipping from mine so his arm can circle my waist. I lean into him, but his kiss remains unhurried and deep like he’s savoring every second.

And butterflies go crazy in my chest.

Fuck.

The plan was to use him, not fall for him, Nova.

My hands find their way to his pecs, feeling the fast but steady thud of his heartbeat under my palms. The world fades away—no stars, no desert night, no plan, and no deception. It’s just us, the taste of him lingering on my lips, stealing every thought from my mind.

When he finally pulls back to rest his forehead against mine, he whispers, “Wishes do come true.”

A shiver runs through me, not only from the cold, and he notices.

“You’re cold,” he murmurs. “I could drive you home… or, if you want, we could go back to my place. Veronica’s out with her…friendsfor their weekly poker night. You know, if you… if you want to watch a movie or something. Just hang out.” His words tumble out, and as he searches my eyes, uncertainty is clear in them. “I mean, I get if you’re not comfortable, if it’s too soon…”

I look up at him, and a pang of something sharp twists in my chest. This is my chance. Everything I need to do, everything I came here to accomplish, is right within my reach faster than I thought possible.

Except instead of feeling triumphant, there’s this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Why?

Why would I want to go back with him for any other reason than what I’m supposed to be doing?

Before I can talk myself out of it, I press my thumb to his lips, silencing him. Then, I lean in, brushing my mouth softly against his. “Only if I get to pick the movie.”

He smiles against my lips. “Deal.”

Nicholas

The hotel lobby gleams with polished marble floors, and I guide Rosie past the reception desk, where a young man in a suit greets me with a professional but slightly nervous smile.

I never bother to learn their names.

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