Page 123 of Archenemies

Whatwasit?

Nova didn’t know.

The strike of a clock echoed through the room, startling her.

“Nothing,” she said hastily. “It’s nothing.” She linked her elbow with Oscar’s. “Let’s head back to the others.”

He didn’t argue, but she could sense him watching Magpie as they left the dance floor. “What was that about?”

She shook her head. “No idea. For some reason, that kid is obsessed with my bracelet. If it ever goes missing, I’ll definitely know where to look for it.” Spotting Ruby at their table, Nova paused and squeezed Oscar’s arm. “Hey, Oscar?”

“Yeah?”

She met his gaze and, after a hesitant beat, she smiled. For the first time she realized that… this could be it. She might never see Oscar or Ruby again after this night. At least, not unless it was from opposite sides of a battlefield.

She hoped he would know how much she meant this. “I know this is kind of trite, but seriously, youarea catch, and… I think Ruby already knows that. Just be yourself. How could she not fall in love with you?”

He stared at her, and for a heartbeat, she could see the depths of his insecurity. Gratitude shimmered in his brown eyes, mingling with hope, overcome with wanting. For the first time, Nova wondered how much of his confidence was an act.

Or maybe that’s all confidence ever was. An act.

Then the moment passed and Oscar’s crooked smile was back. “Kind oftrite? Honestly, Nova, did you pull that off the front of a birthday card? ‘Just be yourself.’ Please. Of all the useless advice…” He clicked his tongue as he walked away, using his cane to clear a chair from his path.

Nova shook her head. She was grinning, but it vanished when she spied the clock again.

She had stayed too long already.

Adrian was at their table, too, entertaining Ruby’s brothers with stories of all the amazing things they had at headquarters, from the training halls to the virtual reality simulators.

“Adrian,” Nova said, settling a hand on his wrist. He jolted. “I’m so sorry, but… before I left home tonight, my uncle told me he wasn’t feeling well. That’s why I was so late. I didn’t want it to ruin our night, but… I’m a little worried about him. I think I should go home and make sure he’s okay.”

Adrian jumped from his seat. “Do you want to call him?”

Nova faked a laugh. “I could, but he’s so stubborn. He could be halfway to dead and he wouldn’t say anything. No… I just really think I should go.”

“Of course. Can I take you? Or—”

She shook her head. “I’ll call a cab. But thanks.”

He didn’t argue with her, and she wondered if it was because he knew she could take care of herself, or because he had seen her “home” once and didn’t want to embarrass her further by seeing it again.

“I hope he’s okay,” said Adrian. “I’ll see you at headquarters tomorrow?”

“Yeah, of course.”

There was a moment—the briefest of moments—when Nova thought he might bend down and kiss her. Here, in front of everyone.

And in that breath of a moment, she longed for that kiss.Just once more.

But he hesitated too long, and Nova forced a smile as she turned away.

Adrian caught her by the wrist and tugged her back. Nova’s heart jumped and then he was leaning toward her, pressing a single kiss against her lips.

He pulled away, a little sheepish. “Good night.”

Nova’s body tingled and, for an eternity trapped inside a heartbeat, she considered staying.

But the moment passed and she pulled herself away. “Good night.”

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