Page 55 of Where Broken Wings Fly

Sliding into his empty chair, Micah keeps his head lowered and eyes averted. Arianna is giving him a fierce stare as she tries to figure him out. His jaw ticks, and after several loaded seconds, he finds the courage to look up and meet her eyes.

“You’re covered in paint,” she points out.

Micah swallows hard. “I was varnishing something.”

“Is that why you’re late? It’s rude, you know.”

Killian nearly chokes on his mouthful of food, and he has to take a deep pull of beer. Staring at her daughter like she’s an alien from another planet, Willow looks stunned by the little ballbreaker’s sharp comment.

“Something like that.” Micah clears his throat. “Sorry for being rude.”

Arianna doesn’t let up. “And what is varnishing?”

I half expect him to jump up and run for the fucking hills. One-on-one conversation is never a good way to approach Micah when he does grant us with his presence. Swallowing hard, he briefly looks at Arianna.

“It’s when you seal something with clear paint to preserve it.”

Her nose wrinkles. “Preserving?”

“So it lasts longer and can be displayed.”

“Enough with the interrogating, Ari,” Willow snaps at her. “Let the poor man eat his dinner and worry about your own plate, okay?”

“I was just asking,” she defends.

“It’s fine, really,” Micah replies in a rush. “I make… sculptures. Out of wood and stuff. I paint as well. It’s kind of a business, so people buy them from me.”

That’s one way of explaining his borderline-neurotic art business that earns more money than he’d admit. Micah’s intense mood swings and unstable mental health are conducive to one thing, and that’s creating stunning pieces of art.

“Can I see?” Arianna smiles broadly.

“Uh.”

“Please?” She bats her lashes.

Micah splutters before answering. “Sure, I guess.”

Fist pumping the air, Arianna dives back into her dinner with gusto now she’s won the argument. Taking a breath, Micah helps himself to some food, but not before I catch sight of something odd happening to his mouth.

I think… it’s a smile.

Fucking hell.

Killian stares in shock until I give him a pointed look. He refocuses on his plate, fighting a small smile himself. Neither of us have seen my twin brother do that for a very long time. What Arianna just achieved is a fucking miracle.

CHAPTER 12

WILLOW

WE WERE THE SAME - MATT MAESON

Leaving Killian and Zach to flip a coin to decide who has to do all of the washing up, I slide my borrowed pair of shoes back on and grab the woollen coat that Miranda located for me to wear when it’s cold out.

I really need to go clothes shopping soon. We can’t sponge off other people’s generosity forever. The prospect of leaving the safe bubble that encapsulates Briar Valley makes me feel physically ill, but I think it might be time.

“Follow me,” Micah mumbles.

Arianna breezes straight past me. “Let’s go!”

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