Page 232 of Entangled

Heather snorts a laugh.

“Fine. Consider it a truce.” She looks between all three of us, and a devious, dangerous smile spreads across her lips. “And I knowjusthow to celebrate our new arrangement.”

Chapter51

Dominic

Survival tip #186

Some candles burn brighter.

Don’t let them go out.

Isettle back, leaning against the trunk of the apple tree. It’s a good place to wait between rounds—I have a clear line of sight to the moat, the food and alcohol tables, and the bonfire, and the candles hanging from the branches around me are quiet company.

A tall brunette by the fire gives me a quiet nod, letting me know everything’s under control. Shelby has a good head on her shoulders—she handled one bout of tears, sent two people who were well past drunk to their beds, and carted off Mila to see Beau after she twisted her ankle. I know because wetalked.

Ialsotalked to Valerie and Patrick, a couple in their early fifties who are monitoring the surrounding woods, and Isabel—but she only stuttered that she was twenty-one, then scurried away, clutching her bourbon.

Still, it wasn’t terrible.

I’m watching the dry moat, contemplating how we might be able to use our remaining explosives to best advantage, when I hear Eden.

When I hear Edensqueal.

I look over to find Heather dragging my disheveled librarian toward me—though she’s stumbling almost as badly. Eden’s pulling back against Heather’s hand, shaking her head. Her cheeks are flushed a brilliant pink, her glasses dangle around her neck by their chain, and her eyes are sparkling in the starlight.

“No, no, no, I can’t. Don’t make me do it.” Eden laughs. “Let go!”

Heather’s hair swings around her as she smirks. “Fine.”

She releases Eden’s hand, and Eden tumbles backwards with a screech, landing on her ass in the middle of the lawn. She laughs.

And I stare.

All week, we’ve been talking. She’s a good listener, attentive, thoughtful. She doesn’t rush to fill silences... unless she gets flustered. I’ve seen her stutter, frown, smile, rage, and cry.

I haven’t seen her laugh like this. Uninhibited.Happy.

It looks good on her.

A smile tugs across my face. I start walking over as Heather reaches down and tries to pull Eden up with both hands, without much luck.

They’ve hardly registered my presence before I’m hooking my arms under Eden’s and pulling her to her feet. When she stands, she... doesn’t.

Eden leans heavily against my chest, her head rolling back to look at me like it’s made of rubber. There are leaves all through her hair, and her breath smells like alcohol.

“Dom!” Heather exclaims. “Good timing. Eden has something to say to you.”

Eden’s nails dig into my chest, and her eyes widen. “I don’t!”

Bemused, I study her, then Heather, who grins at me. She doesn’t seem anywhere near as tipsy as Eden.

She starts backing up, then pauses, her eyes lighting on the tree... and her grin falls away. She stares up at the candles for a long, shadowed moment.

“Heather? You okay?” I ask quietly.

The moment breaks, and she lifts a dismissive hand, then turns and walks away. There have been more than a few people who have had a hard time looking at that tree tonight.

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