Burn (Barlyle) (COMPLETE)

29

Anne squeezed Phillip tight the first time he came back to the circus.

"We missed you," she murmured in his ear before pulling away, beaming at him. Her fingers ghosted over his.

Phillip reddened. "Anne, I, uh—"

"You and Barnum?" She tilted her head to the side.

Phillip's eyes widened. "How did you—"

Anne chuckled. "It was pretty easy to tell before the fire that you liked him. I figured that'd come around again sooner or later."

The man ducked his head. Anne cupped his cheek in her hand, smiling softly at him as their eyes met.

"I'm always here for you, you know?" she murmured. He nodded mutely and she smiled, running a slender finger over his lips. "I'm happy for you. But if you ever need me to kick his—"

"I'm, uh, fairly certain that won't be necessary," Phillip mumbled, chuckling. Anne kissed his cheek.

"Where's Barnum now?" she wondered.

"Last I saw, he was—"

He was interrupted by a loud crash outside.