“You look beautiful,” Ira said.
She might as well have said nothing with the way he ignored her words. It was hard to be mad at him when he was looking at her like that, though. Like she was all he ever needed. After a moment of her not responding like an idiot, he dipped his head and cleared his throat.
"Agnes left some food for you if you are hungry."
“I am,” she whispered because talking was hard.
She followed him through the maze and took her seat before a plate of roast chicken, potatoes, and carrots. A glass of ruby red wine beside it. Thank goodness for Agnes.
Luci wasted no time and downed the first cup of wine without any thought of consequences. All she knew was never in her life did she need wine as much as she did in that moment. When she finished, she set it down and took in a long steadying breath.
“Lucinda, you don’t have to be here if you don’t want to. Take your food upstairs and rest, or if you prefer, I can let you be while you're down here,” he said quietly.
“I want to be here,” she said too quickly and forced herself to meet his gaze. “I want to be herewithyou.”
His jaw relaxed, and it was clear he was relieved by her answer in the way his mouth softened, and he leaned back in his chair, a little tension falling from his shoulders.
“You can change your mind,” he said.
“I know,” she said.
And it was true. She knew he wouldn’t hold it against her or fault her for it. Just like before, that sense of security wrapped around her, and she settled a little more into her chair. She could do hard things, and she could change her mind.
“So does the whole town know who you are now?” she asked.
He chuckled and ran a hand over his freshly shaved face, a hint of mint drawing across the table. His black shirt was loose over his chest, but more snug around his arms, and the contrast with his brown hair was- he looked good. Like a prince from a storybook. It made her stomach flip-flop like a fish in a desperate search for water.
“Just Agnes for now, but the night is still young,” he said.
Luci took a bite of chicken that was seasoned just right and closed her eyes, letting the flavors explode in her mouth.
“She might make the best food I’ve ever had,” she said, opening her eyes.
Mouth slightly open, Ira swallowed hard before blinking rapidly.
“Maybe I can convince her to give up the inn and move to the capital,” he said.
Luci rolled her eyes. “You are capable of many things, but not that.”
A hint of a dimple. “So you think I’m capable?”
“Are you so starved for compliments that you hear them in simple statements?”
“Only from you,” he said, smile growing. “Sometimes I’m not sure if you like me or want to flay me alive.”
Luci shrugged. “Probably a little of both.”
His laugh settled over her, whispering that one word.Safe.
“Thank you for sending Agnes up,” she said.
He nodded, solemness in the way he scratched at his chin and jaw.
“I thought you might need a friend,” he said.
“I did,” she replied.
He was patient with her while she ate and even left to get them both wine for a minute, but the need to tell him he wasn’t a burden grew with every glance he threw her way, worry in his soft green eyes. If she was afraid, then he was too, but for very different reasons. When he returned with her third and absolutely final glass of wine, she made up her mind.