THE ENTIRE RIDE back to my house, Sinclair doesn't let go of my hand. Even when we finally arrive at my house, he only lets go long enough for me to get out of the car. The moment we're outside again, he takes my hand in his large one, holding onto me tightly, like he's afraid I'm going to disappear.
And then, when we are inside, he is on me before the door is fully closed. His cheeks and his nose are cold but his mouth is like fire against the ice, warming me from the inside out. I kiss him back whole-heartedly and everything is forgotten: Lucky and Philophobia, Sinclair's mother and the brother that he misses, my feelings of helplessness.
All of it vanishes.
When I wake up, it's still dark out. Sinclair has his arm draped around my waist and his nose is pressed against my neck as he b
