Everything went as planned. Kai and Cinder were ecstatic to have the musicians playing at their wedding and Gil and Fateen, the duo, had no other engagements scheduled for that day. They had most of the songs Cress put together in a special playlist in their repertoire and would practice the few they didn't as well.

It had been a great idea of Thorne who, Cress felt a bit perplexed to notice, didn't take the praise directed at him. He seemed happy to stand aside while Kai, Cinder and the musicians talked a little about the wedding until it was time for everyone to leave as the restaurant was closing.

"Want a ride?" Thorne asked after they said good-byes to Cinder and Kai.

"Sure." It was very common for Thorne to pick her up or drive her home whenever they met, especially since his Rampion had been repaired (and hadn't broken down since, Cress was relieved to learn). She had started to like his banged-up car and appreciated that despite his immaculate way of dressing himself, Thorne had a thing for his slightly less immaculate car. The Rampion had personality in the same way Cinder's orange VW beetle did. (Cress still believed that this should be the bridal car but wouldn't push it.)

It was a short walk to the car and despite the late hours, the breeze was still warm. By now, Cress had ditched most of her business suits and high heels when she met Thorne in favor of sundresses and sandals. There was a lightness to her now that Cress never had back home. Probably the sunshine and the beach.

That she met Thorne almost every day didn't hurt but that thought didn't come without thinking guiltily of Julian.

"Here you go." Thorne opened the door for her and helped her into her seat and went around to climb in next to her.

"That went well," Thorne summed up the evening. "Finally, a decision for the music."

Cress fumbled with the radio as Thorne pulled out onto the street. "True. Very lucky. They had time and knew most of our songs."

"Yeah. You want to send me the playlist you selected?"

"Sure. I actually got the USB drive with me." Cress fumbled in her purse. "I did a lot of playlists for the other couples I consulted for you know."

Thorne glanced at her. "You're the whole package aren't you? As a wedding planner," he quickly added. "You really need to demand more money."

"I love music. It was one of the few things I had at the hospital," she said lightly.

There was a short pause. "I didn't mean to imply your playlist won't be any good."

She was relieved to hear it. "Okay."

"I was just curious what kind of songs you picked. Cinder and Kai are not easy people to pinpoint. Even as my friends. Cinder dislikes more stuff than she likes and doesn't mind telling you about it. Kai, on the other hand, is fine with pretty much everything. He never says outright if he doesn't like something. Honestly, I prefer Cinder's bluntness."

Cress couldn't help but agree. Usually she had brides who had more ideas than one could put into a wedding. Kai seemed to be fine with almost everything and it was a challenge to figure out the things he really liked. "I think, as a politician, he got used to be very diplomatic," she mused. She knew that Kai could be very snarky if push came to shove, especially with nurses that had been mean to the kids. She smiled at the memory.

Plugging in the USB drive into the car stereo, Cress clicked through it. "It's always in sets. Something light and easy while people are waiting and during dinner. Not like elevator music," she hurried to explain. "More like indie music which would fit Gil and Fateen too, I think. Then something for when Kai and Cinder have their big entrance as the married couple. Then their wedding dance."

"To what song?"

"I sent several options to Cinder. She is still thinking on it."

She could see Thorne rolling his eyes. "Of course, she is."

"Then something upbeat for the guests to join the couple on the dancefloor. And the rest is party music, which we'll provide as Gil and Fateen will be the focus for the music during the ceremony, the reception and the wedding dance."

"Let's listen to the party playlist."

"Um, okay." Cress pressed play on one of the faster songs, Uptown Funk.

Thorne moved his shoulders to the beat. "Nice. Next one."

Cress clicked to the next one, Brick House this time. Thorne listened to a few seconds before nodding and asking for the next which was something by the Black Eyed Peas. Then Rebel Yell to which Thorne gave an excited whoop to before Cress accidentally clicked to the next song.

"Ooh, yes, keep that one," he said, drumming his hands against the steering wheel and then surprised her by singing along to it.

It was one of her favorite songs by Wham! and Cress couldn't help but join in for the chorus.

Take me to the edge of heaven
Tell me that my soul's forgiven
Hide your baby's eyes and we can...
Take me to the edge of heaven
One last time might be forever
Please don't tell me lies
It's just a matter of time before my heart is looking for a home!

Someone from the car behind them honked at them but Cress didn't care. Thorne shimmied in his seat and Cress did a few dance moves with her arms. She and Thorne did a little duet, belting out yeah yeah yeahs and laala la-la-las as if it were just the two of them and when the song finished, they started with the next one.

The Clash was followed by Usher, Outkast played right after Missy Elliott and Earth,Wind & Fire. It was a wild mix of decades and genres and the two of them had fun with every new song.

Cress never liked singing in front of others. She had usually sung only for herself, despite several people telling her she had a nice voice. She was just too shy for people to look at her while she performed but not so with Thorne.

She could just be herself and even her less graceful movements didn't bother her.

The next song was a bit slower which was a good thing because it gave Cress a moment to catch her breath.

Thorne gave her a blinding smile. "Very nice. I might steal your playlist for my next job."

She laughed. "I can send it to you."

"Cress, you need to take money! Seriously, you're worth far more than you realize."

A blush crept on her cheeks and she pretended to select a new song. "I think the party music is pretty standard. I tried to include something for everyone. The rest of the playlist is a mix across genres. Mostly stuff I like," she admitted guiltily. But Cress also knew that during certain moments, the music would play in the background anyway and since Kai and Cinder seemed fine with her choice, she didn't see any harm.

"Then let's hear it."

"Oh. Um, sure." Now, she was a bit embarrassed. She loved music, it had been a constant in her life but it was a different thing if someone might judge it. "As I said, it's a bit of everything. Sleeping at Last, Kate Bush, The Late Call. Fleetwood Mac. Keane, Florence + the Machine. Stuff like that." She randomly picked one of the songs and Shadow started playing:

It's time to make a start
To get to know your heart
Time to show your face, time to take your place

In every speck of dust
In every universe,
When you feel most alone, you will not be alone

Just shine a light on me, shine a light
I'll shine a light on you, shine a light.

Cress stole a glance at Thorne, his strong features illuminated by the passing street lamps. The muscles of his upper arms and his shoulders moved every time he steered the car and the breeze played with his dark hair. Something stirred inside of her when his eyes flickered to her every so often.

His hand moved and for a split second, Cress thought he was reaching for hers but instead, he shifted to the dashboard and flicked a button to play the next song. Her heart was beating fast and the exuberant mood they had shared only moments before seemed now loaded. Heavy with an emotion she was too afraid to even guess at.

Then Thorne broke into a grin. "Nice choice, Cress. Just be careful the songs aren't too sad."

"I wouldn't say they're 'sad'. They're quiet and work nicely in the background." Cress shrugged. "I'm glad you like it."

"I do. I think we can cross out the music part on our list now too." He steered the car into another street. "We're here."

He had taken her place (or rather, to Ruy's home) so often that he had no trouble finding it anymore. Cress peered out of the window, as Thorne parked in front of the building. It was already late and most of the windows were dark.

Thorne opened the door for her and helped her out. Despite the late hour, the air was still warm and the light breeze almost caressed her skin. A perfect summer night.

She turned to Thorne. "Thank you. It was a great evening." She knew he prided himself on knowing how to have a good time and apparently, he did. "I guess I should thank you for it?"

The corner of his mouth raised a little into a mischievous smile. "Believe me, Cress. The pleasure was all mine." His eyes were soft, then hesitant and she saw a flutter of nervousness, as he took a step closer.

Cress's breath hitched in her throat. It occurred to her that it felt in every way like the ending to a great date - the electrifying seconds that led up to a first kiss.

When Thorne's hand reached for her, she wasn't sure if she wanted that kiss or not.

Of course not. She was in a relationship. Almost engaged, even. And still, she couldn't help her heart from hammering when his fingers grazed ever so slightly against her cheek before he tugged a strand of hair behind her ear.

"It's always hiding so much."

"Huh?"

"Your hair." She could feel just the tips of his fingers as they moved her hair from her cheeks, then the bangs from her forehead. Goosebumps erupted all over her arms and shivers ran down to the small of her back. "There you are," he added with a grin.

Cress let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. This was so, so wrong. She had Julian. They had a perfect first kiss, a relationship. She had a ring in a velvet box hidden in her suitcase. There was no reason that she should feel that longing as she gazed up at Thorne's blue eyes and if only she could ...

"You're cold?" Thorne's voice was suddenly worried as he brushed over her exposed arms.

"Um, yes. Cold," Cress stuttered and rubbed her arms as if to prove it. "I should probably go up." She pointed up the building. "Again, thank you. I had lots of fun."

Hands stuffed in his pockets, Thorne balanced on his heels. "Me too. See you tomorrow? Oh, wait." He checked his phone. "No sorry, I have an appointment tomorrow. Here I go, being so used to meeting you every day."

Me too, was on her lips. "Well, good luck," she said instead.

"Thanks. But I'll call you tomorrow." He ran his fingers through his hair and flexed his arms awkwardly. "Um, good night." He accompanied his words with a finger gun before switching to a wave.

"Good night." Cress waved back as he went back to the car and drove off with the tires screeching loudly. Opening the door, she ditched the elevator in favor of the stairs, trying to get her mind of what just occurred.

No! Nothing occurred. A bit too much wine, a nice evening and a guy that was a bit too good-looking and attentive and that made her heart race in ways that it should not.

No big deal.

She reached her door panting and opened it with shaking hands.

It was fine. She did nothing wrong.

She washed her face with cold water, evading the mirror.

There was nothing she needed to feel guilty about.

And still, when she fell into bed a few minutes later, she tossed and turned, her sleep restless as she dreamed of blue eyes and first kisses.