She really had no idea what she was getting into, and if Dimitri was a better man, he would tell her outright. He still could, still had time. He once again chalked up his own silence to his inherent need to be a rock for others. People should be able to rely on him. He needed to be better.

She was so warm — somehow warmer than the water they sat in. Her fingers so slender in comparison to his own, her skin so soft it felt like silk. Dimitri felt like his heart was going to explode out of his chest for how hard it was beating.

He didn't say anything. Just let her lean on him for whatever comfort he seemed to offer to her, his thumb absently running across her knuckles.