Kieran’s POV
The moment I approached, Charlotte suddenly pushed away from the wall where she’d been leaning beside William and muttered something about checking on Nora. William and I watched as she hurried away, like my very presence had driven her off, her braid flopping against her back as she half-jogged across the field.
The moment she was gone, William turned to me and stuffed his hands into his pockets.
“So,” he said, “I have a question for you.”
“Is it a dumb one?” I muttered, shooting him a sidelong glance.
“Depends on how you frame it?” He smiled almost sheepishly.
I hesitated, then looked at my cousin with a brow arched, waiting. I expected many things when it came to William, but for once, I actually didn’t expect him to say what he said next.
“Once Nor
