I sat stunned, cocooned in blankets and astonished at the simple, articulate way Melinda had just opened such a raw part of her soul to me. Her hand was still in mine, gently squeezing my fingers.

“Amber? Did you hear me?

I nodded dully, squeezing back. “You lied,” I whispered.

“What?” Melinda sounded shocked, her cool exterior cracking apart.

“You don’t stay with the Romantic era for the beauty,” I spoke to my lap, ...