Page 53

After a moment, Amber cleared her throat. “Maybe we should go now.”

“Eager to be close to me, and now eager to get away from me.”

“I was never eager to get close to you.”

“Of course, you weren’t.”

“I wasn’t! Why would I want that?”

He shot her another look then finally stepped back, face falling back into his natural mask.

“Come on. We should get back to the others.”

“That’s what I said a few seconds ago.”

“Come on, Amber. We shouldn’t linger here,” he declared, turning to walk away without waiting to make sure she was following.

Amber glared at him for a moment before trailing after him, arms crossed over her chest. She wanted to yell at him, but she wasn’t sure how close anyone was, and it wouldn’t do to attract the wrong attention to themselves now.

The time had already passed.

They made their way back to the others who were waiting. The second they stepped out, Felicity was by their side.

“There you both are,” she grinned. “I was wondering where you two took off to.”

“Nowhere,” Christopher said quickly. “We’ve been here the whole time.”

She shot him a look, a strange sparkle in her eye. “Sure, you were. I must have just missed you.”

“Obviously, you did. How long have you been looking for us?”

“A while, but you don’t need to worry about that.”

“What—”

“Amber,” a voice cut through the crowd.

Her spine stiffened.

“Simon,” she said.

“I have been looking everywhere for you, and I don’t think I am the only one. Where have you been?”

“Nowhere,” she said a bit too quickly.

He gave her a heavy look. “Well, I suppose it doesn’t matter. After all, I have found you now. Come with me.”

“But—”

“Now.”

She shot Christopher and Felicity a look. “Sorry, I need to go.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Felicity reassured. “I’m sure we’ll see you later.”

She shot them one more look over her shoulder as she was pulled away.

Christopher was surprised by just how much irritation bubbled under his skin at the sight.