“He loves an idea of me.” She looked out at the city lights, millions of them blinking on and off. “He doesn’t know the parts that count. Just like everyone else.”
Nico stood up and walked over to her. He didn't touch her, though every nerve in his body screamed at him to pull her close. He stood beside her, looking out at the skyline instead, hands in his pockets.
“Everyone hides things, Ava,” he said quietly. His voice had dropped, losing its sharp edge. “You think you know people… you think you see them every day, and you have no idea what’s buried underneath.”
She glanced sideways at him. The profile of his face was hard, set, but his eyes looked far away, focused on something only he could see.
“Like what you hide?” she asked.
He was quiet for a long time. Long enough that she th
