Her lips twitched in displeasure. "My brother is going to die by my hands."
Edward let out a breath that was half a laugh, half in resignation, "I suspected as much."
And that did it, a soft, breathy laugh escaped her. She lifted a hand to cover her mouth, her elegant shoulders began to shake lightly, "I am so sorry," she said, still laughing. "He truly lives to cause suffering."
"I am beginning to see that," Edward replied, a gentle smile finally breaking through his mortification. "I thought I had faced many trials in my life. I was unprepared for Damien."
They laughed together until their eyes met and something gentler settled between them. The embarrassment lingered, but it softened. Cece brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "For what it is worth," she added quietly, "it was all in his head, right?"
Edward met her gaze, his eyes calm as he replied, "Right…" Even as he said it, there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
