Kaija's hands gave in as she felt how Antony pressed them closer to his face, how the warmth of his skin seeped into her palms.
His long, large fingers filled the small gaps between hers, and for a long moment, neither of them moved.
When Antony spoke again, the gold in his eyes had softened, the look in them quieter now, almost tender.
"Thank you," he said, the longing in his voice as thin as the thread binding the two of them in this fragile moment.
"You're feeling okay now?" Kaija asked, watching him closely.
Antony didn't reply, but his face had composed itself again, and that alone was enough to ease her worry.
"The festival is in a month?" he asked instead, lowering her hands onto his lap.
Kaija nodded, letting him keep her hands where he wanted.
"Do you think I'll stand a chance?" she asked, following him back into the serious tone of work.
Antony's face twitched for a split second before he suddenly burst into laughter.
