The bonfire wasn't planned for me.
That was the problem.
Blackmere didn't need invitations for things like this. Someone lit a fire. Someone brought alcohol. Someone played music too loud. And suddenly half the town was there, pretending it was casual while watching everything.
Including me.
I arrived alone.
That lasted maybe thirty seconds.
Cassian found me first. Of course he did. He always moved like he knew where I'd be before I did.
"You look like trouble," he said, handing me a drink.
"I am," I replied. "You look pleased about it."
He leaned in, mouth near my ear. "You keep making tonight harder than it needs to be."
I laughed. "That's my brand."
The fire crackled. Light flickered across faces. Conversations shifted when people noticed us standing close. Not touching. But not not touching either.
Cassian's knee brushed mine when we sat. Didn't move away.
Then Jude arrived.
I felt him before I saw him.
The air shifted. My shoulders tightened. The past walked in wearing restraint like armor.
His eyes went straight to me.
Then to Cassian.
Then back to me.
I didn't move.
Cassian followed Jude's gaze and smiled slowly. "Ah," he murmured. "There he is."
"You don't need to do this," I said quietly.
"I'm not," he replied. "You are."
He was right.
Jude stopped a few feet away. Close enough that I could hear his breath. Far enough that the space between us felt intentional.
"This is what you want?" he asked.
I looked up at him. Really looked.
"Yes," I said.
The honesty rippled outward.
Someone nearby went quiet. Someone else turned to look. The moment caught fire faster than the wood.
Cassian's arm slid around my shoulders. Easy. Familiar. Protective.
Jude watched it happen.
Something in his expression cracked.
"Rowan," he said, lower now. "You don't get to pretend this is nothing."
"I'm not pretending," I replied. "I'm just done hiding."
Cassian leaned in, lips brushing my temple. Barely a kiss. Enough.
The town saw it.
Jude's jaw clenched.
"Then don't," he said. "But don't make me invisible either."
The words hit harder than anger.
I stood.
Cassian's hand slipped to my waist as I rose. Steadying. Present.
"I'm not choosing," I said clearly. "Not tonight. Maybe not ever."
Silence followed.
The fire popped.
Somewhere behind us, someone whispered my name like it was a headline.
Jude looked at me for a long moment. Then he nodded once.
"Then understand this," he said. "If you keep walking forward like this, you don't get to go back."
I met his gaze. Heart pounding. Skin alive.
"I know."
He turned and walked away.
And just like that, the night tipped.