What Leo Joyce said stirred a strange ache in Tiana Grayson’s heart. "This is my fault, too. If I’d known it would come to this, I would’ve clung to Amelia and never given her the chance to go see Cassian."

Leo Joyce looked up at the woman across from him, her face a tear-streaked mess, and his heart grew heavy with frustration. He grabbed the bottle, tilted his head back, and started to chug it down.

"You should drink less. If you insist on drinking, I’ll drink too. I’ll keep you company." With that, Tiana stood up, grabbed another bottle from the table, and twisted off the cap. Mimicking Leo Joyce, she started to drink, but the moment the alcohol went down, she erupted into a violent coughing fit. The burn in her throat only made her cry harder.

Leo Joyce set his bottle down, walked over to her, and patted her on the back. "If you can’t drink, don’t force yourself," he chided disapprovingly.

"If you’re going to drink, I’ll drink too. I’ll keep you company," Tiana said tearfully.

Leo Joyce’s eyes narrowed. "Tiana," he said coldly, his voice laced with intoxication, "you don’t have to drink with me. If I wanted a woman to drink with, why would I have asked you here just to kill my buzz?" The only woman he’d ever liked who could drink was Amelia Avery. No other woman, no matter how much of a drinker she was, could ever catch his eye.

"Then what do you want to do?"

Leo Joyce reached out and pulled her to her feet. "This is no place for you. Let’s go." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

His large, firm hand holding hers tightly, Tiana’s heart suddenly began to pound. A faint blush crept up her cheeks as she lowered her head and followed in his footsteps.

Leo Joyce led Tiana to a rooftop he and Amelia Avery used to frequent, a place called the Stellarium.

In one smooth motion, he vaulted onto the railing. He gave Tiana a roguish look and beckoned with his finger. "Get up here."

"It’s so high. I’m scared." Tiana stared at the open air behind Leo Joyce. This was the top floor. If she fell...

Leo Joyce’s lips curled into an amused smirk. "Silly girl, what’s there to be afraid of? Come on up." ’She really is nothing like Amelia,’ he thought. ’Amelia Avery was afraid of nothing, while Tiana is scared of this and that. It’s a real mystery how they ever became best friends.’

"I... I’d better not. I’m fine watching you from here," Tiana said in a low voice, shaking her head and biting her lip.

Leo Joyce raised an eyebrow again. "You sure?"

"Mhm, I’m sure."

Seeing Tiana’s serious nod, Leo Joyce leaped down from the railing. He strode over to her, swept her up in his arms, and set her down on it.

Tiana couldn’t keep her balance and shrieked in terror, "Ahh! This is dangerous! Leo Joyce, get me down from here, quick! I’m scared!"

"Scaredy-cat. Haven’t I told you before? You have to train your courage."

"But this is really dangerous..."

"It’s fine. I’m here, you won’t die. Besides, even if we did, I’d be dying with you, right? What’s there to be afraid of?" ’And if I die,’ he thought, ’I’ll get to see her that much sooner.’

A warmth spread through Tiana’s heart at Leo Joyce’s words, and she didn’t feel quite so scared anymore. She nodded. "Mhm."

Leo Joyce gave her a roguish smile and ruffled her hair. "From now on, with Amelia gone, I’ll protect you. Anyone who dares to bully you is bullying me, Leo Joyce." ’The people Amelia protected were the people he had to protect.’

"Thank you," Tiana said, her voice choked with emotion as she nodded.

’All of a sudden, she was so, so envious of Amelia. She knew she shouldn’t feel this way, but she was still incredibly, overwhelmingly envious.’