He returned to the Blaine estate at dusk with just enough time to shower and dress before the event. During all this time, he’d almost managed not to dwell on his encounter with Leelah in the garden. That is if “almost” meant thinking about her every other minute instead of every single one. But when he beheld her in the splendor of her ball gown, his heart nearly stopped. She was a goddess. The shimmering gold gown brought out the highlights in her high-piled hair. Her flesh even seemed to shine, although he didn’t know if that was an effect of the dress or of sprayed on body shimmer. When she saw Ja-hun, her eyes, rimmed in dark liner, glowed like miniature suns. Her happy pleasure at seeing him made his insides melt like ice superheated by her light. He’d never seen that look in a woman’s eyes directed at him. It thrilled and terrified him. This growing attraction between them couldn’t possibly end well. Someone would be hurt. Probably him. He crossed the room and took her arm.
