Chapter 23

Lucien smiled slightly. "The floor does not care."Mabel looked at the bed: it was wide enough for two people who did not move. Mabel kept her voice steady. "We can share it."Lucien became very still.Mabel held up a finger. "With a pillow between us."Lucien nodded. "Of course."Mabel narrowed her eyes. "And if you snore, I will throw you out."Lucien kept his expression serious. "I do not snore."Mabel smiled slightly. "Every man says that before proving otherwise."They slept with a pillow between them. At some point during the night, the pillow fell to the floor. Mabel rolled toward the empty space. Lucien woke, saw her shivering, and pulled the blanket over her shoulder.She opened her eyes. Mabel kept her voice quiet. "Are you awake?"Lucien closed his eyes. "No."Mabel smiled. "You are speaking."Lucien kept his eyes closed. "I speak in my sleep."Mabel raised an eyebrow. "You said, 'Move closer.'"Lucien nodded. "A very commanding dream."He returned to his side. Mabel listened to the rain on the roof."Lucien?"Lucien kept his voice quiet. "Yes?"Mabel looked at the ceiling. "Thank you for not treating me as if I am fragile."Lucien turned toward her. "You are not fragile."Mabel frowned. "People think I am."Lucien kept his gaze steady. "People think many foolish things."Mabel looked at him. "People also think I am funny because I am large."Lucien shook his head. "You are funny because you are funny."Mabel raised an eyebrow. "That is not a compliment men usually give."Lucien nodded. "Men are often stupid."Mabel smiled. "You are a man."Lucien kept his expression flat. "I am aware of the evidence."She laughed quietly.Lucien looked at her in the dim room. "You do not have to become smaller to fit anywhere."Mabel's laughter stopped.

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