She returned the kiss automatically, lips pressing quickly against Noah's cheek. It was not a custom she was familiar with from home, but she found that she liked it, especially in these days.

Hild shook her head with the smallest smile tucked into the corner of her mouth. He had startled her, yes, but there was no harm done. It was her problem, her own broken thing to fix. Noah had his own, too.

With her free hand, she found his. Linking their fingers, she gently tugged, inclining her head toward the party, the open seats, the food. He would be welcome to stay.