Page 165 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

I shrug. “It’s more common to me than the other way around.”

“Right.” He bobs his head up and down as he thinks about this. “Well, I hope he finally tells us. Even if it is dangerous, because I miss our friendship.”

“Aw, you’re so sweet.” I pinch his cheek.

He narrows his eyes at me, but it’s a playful gesture.

When we halt in front of a shut door, he knocks. Then he folds and unfolds his arms and fidgets with his watch band.

“You’re nervous,” I note, studying him closely.

“No,” he replies way too quickly.

“It’s okay if you are. You guys probably said and did some messed-up stuff to each other during your fight, right?” I wait for him to nod, which he reluctantly does. “Just say you’re sorry.”

“You say that like it’s that easy,” he murmurs, opening and flexing his hands.

I take his hand, attempting to comfort him. “It could be. Life’s too short to waste it on grudges, anyway.”

His gaze lowers to our interlocked fingers. “I guess I could do that.” His gaze meets mine and then falls to my lips.

Again, I think he might kiss me, and the frightening part is, I might let him. Fortunately, Noah opens the door. He looks sleepy, his eyes bloodshot, his hair a mess, and he’s wearing a pair of pajama bottoms and a T-shirt.

“What time is it?” he mumbles, rubbing his eyes.

River clutches onto my hand. “It’s pretty early … Sorry to wake you up, but we’re leaving, and Maddy wanted to see if you had her phone clear of any viruses so she can have it back.”

“Yeah, I finished it a few hours ago.” He leaves the door open and briefly disappears into his room before returning with my phone. “There were no virus on it or spyware, but I think they deleted a lot of stuff on it, like messages and stuff.”

“Awesome.” They probably deleted stuff from my aunt. I take the phone from him. “Thanks.”

“It’s not a big deal. It took an hour to do it. Plus, I kind of owe you for trying to help me,” Noah says with a dismissive shrug.

“I didn’t even succeed in that. And made the situation worse,” I grumble as I stuff the phone into the pocket of my jeans.

“She likes to blame herself a lot,” River explains to Noah. “And you’ll never convince her otherwise.”

“Hey,” I protest, lightly shoving him. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not right here.”

“Sorry,” River says, but with very little remorse. “But it’s true, and I wish it wasn’t.”

“He’s right,” Noah chimes in. “You do blame yourself a lot.”

“Well, at least you two agree about that. Although I’m not thrilled it’s on my part, but I’ll take it.” I flash them both a grin.

River glances at Noah who does the same thing.

“We should talk later,” River says to him while shifting his weight. “About some stuff.”

Noah rubs his cheek. “Okay.”

“Okay,” River agrees.

Silence stretches between us, and then Noah steps back, gripping the doorknob. “I’m going to go back to bed.” With that, he closes the door.

River blows out a breath., the tension in his body visibly relaxing. “That was so awkward.”

“Oh, for sure, but at least it’s progress.” I give his hand a squeeze. “Remember that?”

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