Vivienne cast a glance back at Thomas as he ascended the steps behind her, his hands in his pockets, the pony beads pinching his skin beneath his shirt cuff. Her dress was the color of a cherry blossom, and she wore her hair pulled back in a matching bow. Gilded in the lamplight, the sky flickering white at her back, she looked like a painting. Color swam into her cheeks, as though he’d told her so right out loud. He felt the heat of her gaze deep in his solar plexus. Suddenly, all he could think about was getting her alone.
