For a second, Kaija forgot how to breathe.
The noise of the festival disappeared.
The cheering crowd faded away.
All that remained was Antony standing in front of her.
And the dangerous flutter that suddenly erupted inside her heart.
She spun away from Antony so quickly it almost looked like she was trying to escape him.
"Let's... let's go!" she blurted. "Let's not keep Esko and Dani waiting!"
Before Antony could say anything else, her feet were already carrying her down the corridor toward the waiting room.
Behind her, the corner of Antony's mouth curled upward.
The sight of Kaija fleeing in embarrassment after all the confidence she'd displayed on stage was strangely endearing. A quiet amusement softened his features as he adjusted his pace and followed after her.
For the first time in a very long while, Antony found himself smiling without forcing it.
Outside, the MC had already returned to the stage, and the festival continued.
