Adelaide had not fallen in love slowly, or carefully, or with intention. She had fallen in love the same way one slips at the grocery store, despite the CAUTION: WET signs lining any given aisle—quickly, accidentally, and fully aware of the mess into which she was getting herself. But it didn’t matter. She’d loved Rory Hughes instantly and with a fervor that was all-encompassing, reality-altering, seemingly nonsensical. There was something so ineffably special about him. She never wanted anything, or anyone, to hurt him again. Ever.
