CHAPTER 042:

It felt like people were staring at me as I followed closely behind Gideon through the sections, past the man guarding the stairs, and up to the second level. Of course, people probably weren't looking, but it still felt like it. My skin buzzed with imagined attention, but try as I might, I couldn't shake it off.

I'd been up here on the second floor before, but instead of going to the right, we continued straight ahead, to the door at the end of the hall.

Nervously, I dried my clammy hands on my dress and focused on breathing evenly. It was a feat that I actually managed to do so when I felt like hyperventilating.

No one could say I shied away from putting myself out there and pushing myself out of my comfort zone—not at this moment, at least.

It felt great, though, even with these anxious nerves, to do something I'd always wanted but was too afraid to do. Until now.

Gideon didn't knock on the door. Instead, he walked in as if he owned the place. Made sense, since his best friend did,