Gwen & Art Are Not in Love

by Lex Croucher

Lady Leclair was a problem. Looking at her felt a lot like wanting something.

“I am good, though,” Arthur said, winking at Gabriel, who looked thunderstruck and quickly turned back to face the arena. “Don’t wink at him,” Gwen said. “The point is to make it seem like we’re getting together, not that this is some kind of … mildly incestuous free-for-all.”

“What about me,” Bridget said in a low, amused voice that sent a thrill up Gwen’s spine, “is so particularly vexing?”

“Nobody else is ever going to care as much as you do about the things that you want, Gwendoline. So it’s up to you—you can put them aside forever, if you can live with that, or you can put on your big-girl girdle and demand more for yourself.”

“What are you doing?” Gwen demanded. “Crimes,” said Arthur, at the exact same time that both Agnes and Sidney said, “Nothing.”

“You moon, I’m afraid. But she must find it endearing. Can’t say I understand the appeal. I like my men emotionally repressed and unavailable.”

Arthur was amazed that kissing could feel like that, like both a blessing and a comfort, instead of like the inevitable meeting of two people who were reaching desperately for something they couldn’t quite grasp.

“It’s not a dream,” Gwen said. “Trust me. In the dream, you’re always on a unicorn.”

Behold, kissing hath recently taken place betwixt this lusty knight and this passing good woman.

“To be truly brave, first you must be afraid—and to be afraid, you must have something you cannot bear to lose.”