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"It's important work. That library means everything to our community."

"I know it does," he says, spinning me gracefully.

"And to answer your question, the plans are coming along beautifully. Though I have to ask…do you ever think about anything else besides books and community programs?"

I consider this as we move through another turn. "Well... yes, actually."

"Oh? And what might that be?" He asks.

"Chocolate," I admit, and he laughs so hard he nearly misses a step.

"Chocolate?"

"Don't laugh! It's a serious consideration. There's dark chocolate for when I'm contemplating serious literature, milk chocolate for light romance novels, white chocolate for poetry..." I'm warming to my theme now. "And don't even get me started on chocolate chip cookies. Those are essential for long research sessions."

"You've given this considerable thought," Felix observes, clearly trying not to laugh.

"I have a whole system. Brownies for budget meetings, because they help me deal with the stress. Chocolate croissants for early morning inventory. Hot chocolate with whipped cream for winter evening programs... and chocolate fondant when I want to wrap my best friend around my little finger."

"Ah," Felix says, and there's something knowing in his voice. "So you're not a couple then? You and Adam?"

I shake my head automatically. "No, we're just... we're friends. Best friends."

"Good friends who come to balls together," he observes.

"Friends who fake date to avoid awkward questions from our families," I correct, then immediately clamp my mouth shut. Why am I confessing this? Why am I telling him the truth about everything?

Felix chuckles. "Well, that's refreshingly honest."

"God, I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm telling you all this." I feel heat rise in my cheeks. "Maybe it's the champagne, or the masks, or..."

"Or maybe you're just being yourself," Felix suggests gently.

But that's not it, and I know it. There's something about Felix, his scent, the way he listens that makes me want to tell himeverything. Just like with Theo at the library, I seem incapable of controlling what comes out of my mouth when I'm with him.

Why can't I help myself when I'm with one of the Beast Pack alphas? The thought hits me suddenly, and I almost stumble mid-step. It's like they have some kind of effect on me that bypasses my usual filters entirely.

"I need to shut up," I mutter, more to myself than to him.

"Please don't," Felix says, and there's something almost urgent in his voice. "I like hearing what you really think about things."

"Even when I'm rambling about chocolate and fake dating?"

"Especially then," he says, spinning me again.

"It's real. You're real. Do you have any idea how rare that is?"

I look up at him, studying what I can see of his face behind the mask. "You make it sound like you're used to people being fake with you."

"Aren't most people? To some degree?" He asks.

I consider this as we continue to dance.

"I suppose. But I've never been good at being fake. I tend to say exactly what I'm thinking, usually at the worst possible moments."

"Like now?" He asks.

"Like always," I say with a laugh.