"He carried you unconscious more than one time. He also helped you with that trial and Bellatrix, and was there for you when everyone was treating you like you were made of glass. Including Dex."
Serena wiped her eyes. "I know he was a good friend that made me laugh and now-" her voice trailed. "I have to tell Dex."
Dex's head lifted. His jaw was still locked but his eyes were open and fixed on the tapestry, and his entire body went still with the specific stillness of a man who has just heard the woman he loves decide to be honest with him and does not know yet if he wants her to be.
"That's your choice. But ask yourself, is it worth ruining a friendship?"
"I don't know what the right thing to do is."
"Chalk it up to heightened emotions and brush it under the rug. I'm telling you."
"I guess this will be added to the list of things I can't tell Dex."
His hand found the back of his own neck. He gripped it. Hard. His fingers dug into the muscle, and his eyes closed again.
