EMBRY NEWTON

Truth be told, Evan wasn’t even upset with Leo’s sudden intervention. If anything, it helped her regain much more control and refocus herself as she spoke to Emmy. As the younger woman said her goodbyes, she nodded but didn’t make a move to close the distance between them. “Yeah, I’ll drop by later,” she reassured.

She was almost surprised when Leo excused herself and said she’d wait for Emmy with Andy, and even offered an understanding smile Evan’s way as she headed out. With Emmy’s mom gone, she walked over to give her a quick peck, “Go on. We’ll see each other after school.”

Embry was just as surprised as Evan when her mom excused herself, leaving her there alone with her girlfriend. “Okay.” She nodded, not wanting to risk another peck as the girl seemed to be restraining herself a lot already. “And promise? Because Levi’s been itching to watch Encanto with you - yes, with you and not me.” She chuckled, “He actually didn’t want to watch it himself yet. I really think you’ve won my brother over. He likes you more than he likes me.”  The blonde started backing towards the door. “..Bye.” She made a small wave before she left to meet Andy and Leo at the car. 

“Yeah, I’m su-” Evan sensed the other before the sound of the elevator that led down to the library of magic -located behind the desk- even began to whir to life. As its doors opened on the main floor, Leo’s voice rang out as she said, “Evan, it seems that you’ve done a great job in updating the Avraham coven volume-” she stopped as she ‘noticed’ Embry. “Emmy! Hey, fancy seeing you here. I’m assuming it’s a free period and not you just skipping school to get a bit of a snog in with the girlfriend,” she teased. It all likely would’ve seemed like just a really odd coincidence, were it not for her coming to stop specifically between the two girls.

She glanced hat her watch and said, “Oh, looks like you might be cutting it a bit close to get back for the last period. Would you like me to shimmer you over on the way home or  would you rather Andy give you ride?”

Her blue eyes rounded when she realized her mom was here. “When- Wha.. Were you here the whole time?” She spluttered. “Yea.. It was my free period.” Was she ignoring the job about snogging her girlfriend? Yes she was. Leo had been poking fun of her since they’ve met so this was nothing new. She glanced down on her phone and noticed the time. “Oh.. I guess I should.. go?” It sounded like a question but everyone here - and Andy was aware that it was rhetorical. 

The girl slid her backpack off the counter and let it drop to her feet. Her eyes keep peeking back at Evan because she wasn’t sure if she was even allowed to give her a goodbye kiss with everyone around. Not that she normally wouldn’t, but it looked like Evan didn’t want to go near her in case anything happened. “..I’ll see you later?” 

Evan let out a light chuckle as she reached up a hand of her own to place over Emmy’s as she then turned her head to place a soft kiss to the point where the palm met the wrist. Lowering their joined hands so she could take a step closer, she said, “I’m sure you’re probably right, but the library is something that i’ve literally known my entire life. I think the consistency it provides me right now is probably worth the bit of additional hecticness. Besides, I get the best visitors here.”

The librarian had thrown in one of her trademark mischievous grins and gone to close the distance between them completely, when Embry spoke again. The question was enough to cause her to stop in her tracks and her grin to drop into a completely different look -one accompanied by the almost neon-blue glow of her eyes- as the woman’s mind raced through all of the things that the woman beside her might do to help… It was only a second or two at most, but it was enough of a slip in control for Evan to immediately screw her eyes shut, shake her head, and take several steps back to ensure distance between the two. “Uh, I’ll be fine,” she started, before finally looking back over at Embry -with a bit of trepidation- “Adriel’s working tonight, so I’ll just go hang out with her and DJ. Should be right as rain.”

The sudden change in her girlfriend’s eyes did surprise her but it was gone before she could even register it. By the time she did realize, Evan was already moved away from her. While she didn’t think the librarian would be a threat to her, she didn’t want Andy barging in here because she simply got too close.

“..Are you sure?” She asked because it sure didn’t look like Evan was fine. Before taking one step closer, Embry couldn’t help but look out the door even though there’s no way she could spot Andy. The pup really felt bad that she couldn’t do a thing for the other and to see Evan look almost scared because she might hurt Embry or something.  “If.. If you need to go now.. I can keep an eye on Peyton until Kala comes pick her up.”

The question caught her well off-guard, though when dealing with someone who had super hearing -versus your own almost non-existent hearing- it really shouldn’t have surprised her that Embry caught that at all. If anything, she should be grateful the wolf didn’t catch more with other senses…

“Uh, nowhere….I mean, nothing. It’s nothing, don’t worry about it,” she stammered out. A small laugh followed and she simply nodded, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just- my head’s all over the place. My friend’s a dipshit, my grandfather’s a wanted criminal on the run, and the Council seem to think I’m a living version of google translate for the documents they’ve confiscated from the Apothecary….” None what she’d listed was a lie, but she felt she owed Emmy a little more transparency than that. “…and maybe in the chaos of it all I may not have kept up with my diet properly.”

Listening to Evan list off the things just made Embry’s hear wrench. To learn that a friend of yours was a traitor had to be rough, and it definitely didn’t help to add on the things her grandfather did. “I think you need to take a breather.” She spoke softly as she raised her hand to cup her girlfriend’s cheek, her thumb giving a few gentle strokes before moving to brush off the few stray strands of hair in the way. It absolutely sucked that she couldn’t help take the load off. 

With the emphasis, Embry doubt her girlfriend was talking about food. “Is there anything...  I can do to help?” She could feel all the guardians in her life just giving her the look for even suggesting that. 

“I certainly won’t disagree with you there, but I also think you might be just a tad bit biased,” Evan stated, even though she knew this was far more of an objective truth than anything. That kid was just happiness in a human form. Reminded her of Sean a bit, though she was glad that at least Levi no longer had to deal with an overbearing father. “I take it by your silence and the look your face that you’ve settled on an answer that suits your fancy…let’s hope you’re right though.”

“Wise choice, as you are correct that it’s certainly going somewhere, though I can’t exactly guarantee it’s my head,” she mumbled. Evan wasn’t sure if it was just the intensity of the brief interaction or if she perhaps hadn’t fed enough at the club on her last visit, but she would most definitely be needing a cold shower once she clocked out.

Embry was so grateful to have a brother like him and if she was a little bit biased, then so be it. That kid stole her heart the moment she met him because that kid was the literal embodiment of sunshine. Nothing could prove her otherwise, and the sister will do anything to protect him. 

When Evan mumbled something, Embry only looked confused because she could only catch a bit of it even with her hearing. “Going where?” Where else would someone’s ego go? “Are you okay?” Her look grew concerned when the playful tone went away all of a sudden. 

Evan didn’t answer outright, knowing exactly what Embry was playing at. Instead she narrowed her eyes a bit and shook her head, “No, not quite. He prefers the cold over the sunshine.” She’d lost track of how many times Levi had made her and Andy sit with him through not just Frozen, but Frozen 2 as well….back-to-back. “Your guess was quite close though,” she teased.

At the mention of the sheriff’s station, Evan pulled a face. “I’m sure she would’ve considered it if Dallas hadn’t made it to where just having her own face might cause Kala to end up in a cell of her own. I still can’t believe that bloomin’ idiot didn’t think to tell anyone sooner-” She stopped and just let out a breath. “Not a topic for today. Tell me more about how my efforts are paying off though,” she grinned.

“Just because he likes the cold, doesn’t mean my brother isn’t a bundle of just pure joy radiating light.” The kid was rarely upset, and Embry planned on keeping it that way - even when she had to be civil with his father for the brief visit she took with Leo. Having Obie did help a lot as the kid was mostly preoccupied by the pup. The blonde smiled softly, not taking another stab at guessing. 

She understood that what the DJ had done basically betrayed everyone in town and put them all in danger, and she felt especially bad for both the twin and Evan since out of everyone in town, they were the closest with her. The wolf opted to not say anything because she didn’t want to give the DJ the benefit of the doubt since she did messed up royally. “I think I shouldn’t say more - it looks like it’s going to go to your head.” She quipped. 

Evan nodded with a soft, reassuring smile and said, “Yes, I’m most definitely sure. It’s hardly the first time something like that has happened, and the reality is, it is likely far from the last. Lucky me I get timely visits from sunshine personified to drive away the nasty clouds though.” She more than welcomed the second kiss, and simply nodded at the explanation.

“I’m sure the main purpose is still to keep her from having unsupervised interactions with Ryllie, so as long as she’s kept within the walls of the library, we should be fine. I should be able ot sense her if she tries to bolt -which I doubt- and well, shimmering beats cat speed any day,” she reasoned. She let out a chuckle and said, “As your official tutor I would certainly hope it’s not last night’s homework, otherwise someone might be in for a reprimand.”

The amusement showed on her face as a brow went up and a suppressed smile spread. “Sunshine personified?” The wolf had an idea who she was referring to but she had to ask, “Are you talking about my brother?” He had a higher chance of claiming that title because Embry was far from being as radiating as him. 

“I think we should just be glad Kala didn’t just take her to the Sheriff’s station and toss her into a cell....” The thought of needing to confine someone who clearly was curious enough to venture out anywhere just made Embry felt even more sorry for Kala who was assigned to keep an eye on the other. “Well, as my tutor, I think you’ll be glad to know that my grades aren’t slipping. Guess your effort helping me did pay off.” 

The still new, yet somehow incredibly familiar, feeling a warm hand in hers, was enough to ebb at least the tinge of anger at the edges of the whole ordeal. She may not have acted on the anger, knowing the kid was just being…well, a kid, but that didn’t mean she didn’t still feel it. As Peyton walked off to entertain herself, she turned to Emmy and managed a soft smile as she said, “Yeah…I’m definitely good now.” She hesitated for all of two seconds before she used their joined hands to pull the younger woman in for a soft kiss. Nothing terribly scandalous, of course, keeping in mind where they were and the fact that Embry wasn’t in school, Andy was probably somewhere nearby. “To what do I owe this timely surprise?”

She cocked her head to the side with an understanding smile, “Are you sure?” Embry didn’t fight it when the other pulled her in for the kiss, happily returning it even but managed to sneak in another before answering the question. “I had a free period.. and I thought I’d give you a visit. And this library is better than the school’s library anyways. Win-win.”

The blonde looked around the library before rounding back on her girlfriend. “Did you need to keep an eye on Peyton or are you going to let be until Kala returns?” She asked, “It’s fine if you’re busy, I can do my homework before I go back - Homework that’s due tomorrow.” She clarified. 

pcytonxdcwson​:

“Oh! Hello!” She greeted when she heard the doors open. Though she did meet her yesterday at the diner, Peyton didn’t really quite talk with everyone at length but from what she could tell so far, everyone was very friendly - some .. didn’t think before they spoke but the shifter was the last person to judge since she often ran her mouth too. 

“Guys, I’m right here.” She looked between the two - especially at Evan who spoke as if she wasn’t even there. “And yes, I don’t know if it was planned but I guess she needed a break from me because I talk to me as she mentioned many times before - and I do try not to talk too much but obviously it doesn’t work out. And yeah! I’m here because I just wanted to know more about this town. I was telling Evan here that this place is way better than the city life. It’s small, but everyone’s literally friends with everyone. It’s homey.”

“Yup, you make yourself rather hard to ignore kid,” Evan noted, knowing it would probably earn look from Embry for being ‘antagonistic’. She may have gotten much better at dealing with people in general -and was clearly leaps and bounds ahead of Kala- but there was only so much that being around her sister, or Emmy and Levi could really do to override an entire childhood of being who she was.

“I offered to give her the full detailed history from 1692 onward or the abridged version, and then somehow we ended up with her trying to ‘show-off’ her signing skills by making  it look like she was poorly mocking a stroke victim,” she told Emmy.

It was clear that her girlfriend was disappointed with whatever it was that Peyton had signed earlier. Leaving her bag on the counter, Embry walked around so that she could stand next to Evan, gently slipping her hand into the other’s once she got there. “I’m not sure how.. the two correlates. But if you’re genuinely interested, Evan does hold a class so if you want to learn how to properly sign, you could come? Otherwise, I’d .. suggest not doing the signs .. if they’re like what she’s saying..” Embry offered, “Oh. If you’re worried about knowing no one there, I’ll be there with my brother.” 

The young wolf turned to the librarian, silently observing if the other was feeling okay. “As for the history.. I think there’s a news archive on the computers if you’d like to give that a go first.” She waited until the shifter walked off to do just that before fully giving Evan her attention. “You okay?”

pcytonxdcwson​:

She looked at the other incredulously because she had no idea it was that obvious,”Wait.. that I’m an only child or that I’m .. well, the younger one.” She frowned, "I feel like neither answer is going to be better than the other.” Peyton wasn’t bothered by it at all, just curious to what people saw because it wasn’t just Evan who said that about her. “I hope it ends well. I know it totally feels like an ambush - well, I guess it was an ambush.. even though I didn’t mean for it to be but like, she’s still family. I don’t think we should ever abandon family even if.. well, mom .. sorta.. did.” She grew quiet as she thought through her words. Were they going to be okay? She really hope they don’t get kicked out of town for bothering Amaryllis too much. “Oh! Of course! Of course, This is Amaryllis’ home. We’d be monsters to be trying to make her leave here. She knows this place way longer than she knows us so that totally makes sense.” She sighed, “Mom’s… she looks really cold-hearted but I swear she’s not. Honestly though, I’d be cool if she decides that we move here. I don’t think dad’s going to complain, he goes where mom goes. This town is pretty amazing on its own too. City’s life is totally overrated.”

Peyton’s mouthed made an ‘o’ as she learned that the librarian was wearing an aid before she got really excited, but still waited until the other finished speaking. “Oh! OH! Someone taught me a sign or two one year..” She hummed as she tried to remember it, her hand slowly making the gestures, “Um… I think it was this… and this..? Wait no, this…..” It took her a while but in the end, managed to remember.. most of it. “Was that right? I hope I didn’t like.. accidentally insult you.” She chuckle - was she joking? Maybe. The girl wasn’t even sure if she got the sign down. 

“Yes.” That was as much of an answer as she was willing to give at the moment, as it seemed that it was the only one that might stand a chance of actually making it over the girl’s own ramblings. Evan’s face went through journey as the girl spoke. One especially marked by clear dubiousness at the mention of not abandoning family, as well as clear mischief at the girl stating she would be okay with staying in town. “Oh I’m sure you would be more than okay with staying in town, Happy Cat. Something of a 90-10 split between your sister and your current nanny…”

As soon as Peyton begin exclaiming about how she was once taught a sign, Evan had to bite back a groan as she prepared herself for the typical cringe-inducing routine that tended to follow such a statement. It never failed that as soon someone learned she was deaf, they wanted to try out their signs, which even in the situations with most well-meaning of folks, could feel really patronizing. She reached out and gently took hold of the girl’s hands as she said, “If that’s what they taught you, they’re assholes who were trying to get your ass kicked. It’s just gibberish.” Letting go of her hands and wanting to give the girl the benefit of the doubt, she added, “However, if you’re actually up to learning a few real signs, I hold a class here in the library every Thursday.”

With Sky and Tomi taking a day, and Sean still in class, Embry found herself with a lot of time during her free period. So instead of staying at school, she had the idea of to go to the library. Embry was confident that she could make the trip and back way before her period was over. after all, it was a short distance between the school and the library. 

As she approached the place, she heard familiar voices - although muffled - coming from inside. And honestly, she did not know what to expect considering the surprises in this town but she genuinely didn’t think she’d find Peyton here of all places. “Oh. Hi.” She slowed down her steps as she approached the two. Once she got to the counter, she lifted her backpack onto it. She didn’t know what to say and she wasn’t at all suspicious - this was just random. “Where’s Kala?” 

Evan grinned and said, “Oof, that is some rather stiff competition. Next time we all hangout I’ll just have to bring in my secret weapon. A rambunctious little Alaskan Klee-Kai known as Bullet. I’m almost certain between her and Obie he’ll be plenty busy.”

She gave a small shrug and said, “I’ll text you anyway. Just to let you know I wasn’t too distracted by the memory of us on the rooftop to have shimmered myself into a wall.” Sucking in a breath between her teeth she made a face and said, “I can’t say I envy you and the conversation that’s likely to follow, but if you’d rather we talk to them together I don’t mind coming back first thing in the morning. Do try to talk yourself out of whatever we’ve started between now and then, yeah?”

“Yessss, bring Bullet along. I miss her too.” She chuckled, “Then you should definitely text me so I know that you’re not lodged in-between the walls. That sounds deadly actually. Would you hurt like when ..you get splinched in Harry Potter?” She grimaced at the thought of it and her concern rose for the other. 

Embry shook her head, “I’m hopeful I don’t get interrogated tonight and that they’d at least let me sleep before we dive into this.” She laughed, “You’re more than welcome to come join me if you don’t mind facing my parents about this in the morning... And maybe Levi if he’s awake.” The wolf would love nothing more than to stay where she was with Evan but she needed to face reality. “Okay... I should head up.. For reals.” Pulling Evan in closer, Embry planted a soft kiss against the other girl’s lips, “Good night..” She mumbled before starting a few steps back towards the entrance. 

She’d wanted to grab hold of Emmy’s hand as soon as they’d settled back into the beast, but had refrained from doing so, not wanting to seem like she was trying to pressure the girl into anything more than what had already taken place. So when Emmy herself reached for Evan’s hand, she was more than happy to oblige.

As the familiar sound of the tires crunching the gravel of the roundabout at the front of the hotel could be heard, Evan knew the night was drawing to an end. She turned to smile at the blonde and said, “Yeah? I’m glad. It’s not every day I get to spend most of my time in such good company. You’re a terribly good influence on me,” she teased, before opening her door and helping Embry out -all without breaking their hand-hold. Closing the door, she gave a silent thanks that Andy opted to just drive off at that point.

Now taking both of the girl’s hands in her own, she glanced up at her and said, “Well, I suppose this is where we part ways. Wouldn’t want midnight to catch you, Cinderella.” She grinned before pulling her in for one more kiss. “Goodnight,” she whispered against her lips.

Embry smiled waited until Andy drove away before she spoke again, “Well, I’m also glad that... I didn’t have to share you with my brother today.” She joked, clearly not too upset over it since she loved spending time with Levi as well. “I think he might be fighting me over you. You should hear him talk about you on the nights you join us.”  

Her smile probably have remained just as wide as it was back at the diner, allowing herself to be pulled in for the kiss. When the kiss broke, the wolf leaned forward for another kiss, this time a quick peck so fast that one would wonder if she actually kissed again. 

“Normally I’d probably say something like, let me know when you’re home so I’d know you were safe, but you have the advantage of shimmering.” She chuckled, “So.. I don’t think I’d have to worry..” A short pause. “....I feel like my parents will know something is up before I even get to the door...” 

“Mmhmm,” she hummed in affirmation as she chuckled herself. “And, more importantly, you’re still alive. So the odds are that I’ll still be alive tomorrow,” she teased. As they stood still practically breathing each other’s air, Evan wanted nothing more than to pull the girl closer to her again. But she knew it wasn’t wise to push her luck.

“I think we should go ahead and get back to the car before Andy somehow manages to fly up here and take me down,” she laughed. Holding on tightly to the other’s hand, she shimmered them to the back of the car. “Uh, we’re ready to head back whenever you are,” she said to Andy and in response all she got was a grumbled, “Fix your jacket.”

“Yes, what a relief. We both get to live another day.” She joked, still feeling the rush from the kiss - if the wide smile on her face was anything to go by. But reality hit, and Evan did have a point. Andy was still waiting in the car and they should really head back. 

Shimmering still felt weird, but the girl wasn’t in the mood to care. She was happy with the way the night ended and nothing was going to spoil that for her. Even when they had gotten back into the car, Embry reached out for Evan’s hand so she could hold it for the rest of the ride home. 

Though it still took a few hours to actually get home, the ride suddenly felt too short. “Well.. Tonight was fun, actually.” She got to meet Evan’s mom, who was the friendliest person ever, and then what happened at the diner. 

It was normally the easiest thing in the world for he to tell if the other person was into something like a kiss or not, but that was admittedly only because she would be relying on her powers to help her read their level of ‘attraction’. This was different though. Embry had always been different. Evan had never been able to bring herself to use her powers in any capacity when near the girl, and she certainly hadn’t randomly started to do so now.

Which meant that she was navigating this blind. Though she was the one to initiate the kiss, everything from then on had been on a reactionary basis. Evan wanted to let Embry know how she felt, but she was definitely not willing to push the girl out of her comfort zone to do so. She trusted that she knew Emmy well enough to do this.

So once their lips met, Evan made sure to give the girl enough time to pull away if she so desired before deepening the kiss just the slightest. Just enough to leave no doubt this wasn’t the kind of kiss you gave a friend.

Embry met the intensity of the kiss, pushing back with as much force. Her hands clung onto Evan’s jacket, neither pulling her closer nor pushing her further away. It was almost as if she was just holding on as if Evan might shimmer away the moment she let go. 

In the back of her mind, she knew Andy had an idea what was happening and was silently thanking the other that she hadn’t already interrupted them. Breaking off for the sake of needing oxygen, the blond wolf rest her forehead against the other. 

“So.. that happened.” She chuckled softly.

“Yeah, that night started off kind of fun what with just randomly having the knowledge of your phone number, but damn if it didn’t take a turn rather quickly once midnight hit,” she noted before proceeding to polish off her wine. Evan chuckled as she set her empty glass down, “Oh, you have no idea. Though, in all fairness, most of the more notable surprises have happened since you arrived…ooh, new conspiracy theory?”

The shyness that laced the question only served to augment the resolution that laced her own reply. “Yeah.” Full stop. No room for questions. The next question was less shy, and the eye-contact was enough to drive the point home if Evan were to say ‘yes’ it wouldn’t entirely be a hated response. But Evan was past the point for words, and as she offered the blonde a smirk, she pulled out her wallet and dropped enough money to cover their bill, as she stood up and in one swift motion -after checking to see the coast was clear- she took hold of Embry’s hand and shimmered them up to the building’s roof. 

It was all a matter of seconds, really, but as she gently pulled the younger girl towards her, her heart was hammering as if she’d just run for five hours straight. Leo was going to kill her, if Andy didn’t get to her first…but if Embry wasn’t going to stop her, then at least what a reason to go right? She brought a hand up to gently cup the blonde’s face as she closed the distance and whispered, “Now,” before gently pressing their lips together.

“What would the theory be? That all the craziness that happened has something to do with me?” She snorted, “Not very likely - I was here before and nothing like this ever happened so I think that is one theory debunked.” 

The joking manner had subsided quite quickly when Embry became more hopeful that Evan felt the same as her. The quick response did give her more hope but it faltered ever so slightly when the other didn’t reply her other question. Did she not want to now? What could have possibly changed her mind between the time they were in the Beast, and now, after their dinner? The only thing that kept her from freaking out was that Evan smirked, as if she was telling the werewolf to wake. 

Watching the half-demon wrap up their night at the diner, she barely realized what was happening when she suddenly found herself on the room. A soft smile emerged when she saw their distance closing. She naturally leaned against the hand, closing her eyes when she felt lips against hers. 

“Yeah, no joke. I learned all sorts of new things that I will never have a need for in my life again…probably….hopefully.” It was the inconvenience of the timing of it all that was the root of her personal frustration. She’d just faced off against her own father, almost died, been sent off to Jersey City to feed and heal, and just set foot back in town only to be met with that surprise. Subconsciously she reached up and rand a hand over the remaining scar on her face. Focusing back on the moment that made the memory worth it, she just chuckled and said, “In my defense, my sensing was telling me it was you, but my eyes were telling me something completely different.” Evan laughed and said, “At least now you know what your mom feels like most days in her six-inch heels.”

Evan was unsure what to make of the silence that followed. Perhaps that wasn’t the answer Emmy expected to hear or perhaps the wolf hadn’t really expected an answer at all and was hoping Evan had been kidding about it all. When she finally spoke, the older girl just nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I was still your tutor back then. Had to start dropping by the hotel since you were still getting used to your new senses…though,” she knew she may well be about to make things more awkward but she had already opened the honesty vault, “if you’re looking for the most recent time I thought about kissing you, I’d definitely say it was in the backseat of the beast on our way over here because no one’s been there for me quite like you, Embry Avraham-Newton. Especially today.”

“I didn’t even think it’d be possible - but then .. we did turn into our Halloween costumes that one year..” The girl had been wary about the occasion since then and a lot of thought was put into whether or not she should wear a costume ever again, and if she did, what it would be so that it was harder to take her by surprise. “For a small town, it does have it’s endless amount of surprises.” She mumbled, “I could see over so many people. What a luxury that would be if I was in a crowd.” She snorted. 

Evan even confirmed it for her that she still wanted to kiss her yet it was almost natural for Embry to hesitate. Everything was going so well in her life right now that it still felt like a dream - she’s got her forever family, reunited with her bio mom, got a younger brother out of it, and a fluffball whom she absolutely adored and of course, Evan. She never really thought about receiving any more than that. “Yeah?” She asked softly, suddenly feeling rather shy about it. “What about right now?” The amount of will it took to keep her gaze on the other.