Page 49 of The Ballad of Us
“So,” he says, his voice carrying a slight accent that sends a shiver through me. “What does the lady pirate think?”
I stand slowly, taking in every detail. “I think that you make a very convincing pirate.”
“Convincing enough to steal treasure?” He takes a step closer, and I catch the scent of his cologne mixed with whatever theatrical makeup he's used around his eyes.
“Depends on what kind of treasure you're after.” The words slip out before I can stop them, more flirtatious than I intend, and I watch Gray's eyes darken in response. He takes another step closer, close enough that I have to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact.
“The most precious kind. The kind that's worth waiting for,” he says, and there's nothing playful about his tone now.
My heart hammers as he cups my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin. This is the moment I've been hoping for, and dreading, the moment we admit things have grown beyond friendship. Fear flickers because what if it goes wrong? What if I lose everything? Still, hope outweighs fear, and I feel more vulnerable than ever.
“Rhea,” he whispers, and I can see the question in his eyes, the careful request for permission.
“Yes.” I breathe, not even sure what I'm agreeing to, only knowing that I want whatever he's offering.
He leans down slowly, giving me every opportunity to pull away, and I rise on my toes to meet him halfway. Our lips are inches apart when a sharp knock echoes through the apartment.
“Rhea, honey! My arms are full!” Mrs. Chen's voice carries through the door, breaking the spell between us like cold water.
Gray and I freeze, still close enough that I can feel his breath on my lips, both of us caught in the space between what almost happened and what we must pretend didn't.
“I should...” I start, but I can't seem to make myself step away.
“Rhea!” Mrs. Chen calls again, this time more urgently.
“Coming!” I call back, finally finding the willpower to put space between me and Gray. My hands are shaking as I smooth down my costume and walk to the door.
Mrs. Chen stands in the hallway balancing a precarious stack of books, her face flushed from the climb up the stairs. “Oh, good, dear. I got the new releases you ordered, and I couldn't wait until tomorrow to bring them up.”
“Mrs. Chen, you didn't have to...” I start, but Gray appears beside me, immediately moving to help.
“Here, let me take those,” he says, reaching for the books with gentlemanly courtesy.
Mrs. Chen sees Gray in full pirate regalia and staggers, one hand flying to her chest. I smile at her reaction, realizing it matches my own excitement. Mrs. Chen’s playfulness makes me wonder if I could be just as open and maybe braver about following my heart.
Gray's grin is pure mischief as he carefully takes the stack of books from her arms. “Good evening, Mrs. Chen. You're looking lovely tonight.”
“I... you... pirates...” she stammers, then seems to recover some of her composure. “Rhea, honey, where did you find this one? And can he read?”
“He's literate,” I assure her, biting back a laugh at Gray's mock-offended expression.
“Well, that's something at least.” Mrs. Chen follows us into the apartment as Gray sets the books on the shelf near my bedroom door. “Though I have to say, if I were forty years younger...”
“Mrs. Chen!” I protest, my cheeks flaming.
“What? I may be old, but I'm not dead. That man is a work of art.”
Gray, to his credit, takes the compliment with grace. “You're very kind, Mrs. Chen. Now, shall I help you ladies down the stairs? Can't have either of you taking a tumble in costume.”
He offers Mrs. Chen his arm with old-fashioned gallantry, and she accepts it with the pleased expression of a woman being escorted by royalty. But when I move to follow them, Gray holds up his other hand.
“Allow me.” He extends his free arm to me with a formal little bow that makes Mrs. Chen clap her hands in delight.
So, I find myself walking down my own stairs with a pirate on one arm and Mrs. Chen happily chattering about new romance novels on the other elbow. Gray nods along, claiming that costume shopping and relationship advice are his areas of expertise.
By the time we reach the street, the trick-or-treating has officially begun. Families with small children in adorable costumes are making their way from booth to booth, and the Mountain Mornings station is already busy with Emma and Parker working together to serve hot drinks and hand out candy.
“Oh my.” Mrs. Chen takes in the full scope of our Halloween operation. “This is quite the production.”
