Micah clenched his jaw so hard his teeth ached. From the outside, he knew he probably still looked graceful, delicate even, standing in an ebony dress beside Clyde, posture relaxed, chin slightly lifted, but inside, he was seconds away from exploding. His fingers curled into the fabric at his side as he leaned closer to Clyde, lowering his voice until it was nothing more than breath against breath.
"What are you playing at?" Micah hissed, his lips barely moving. His eyes flicked toward Willow, who was laughing politely with another woman a short distance away. "Why are you deliberately getting on her nerves? Are you out of your mind?"
Clyde didn't look the least bit guilty. If anything, he seemed amused. He tilted his head down, closing the distance further, and Micah felt the warm brush of Clyde's breath against his ear.
"I was just making sure," Clyde murmured, voice low and steady, "that she understands you're the only thing occupying my thoughts."
