Page 153 of Love Me

I fold it and put it in an envelope.

Mia is asleep when I approach her bed. Her eyelashes flutter open, and her fingers wrap around my wrist.

“I said stop coming.”

“Mia?”

She apologizes quickly, and I ask, “Who made you this mad?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Just because I don’t say things doesn’t mean I am not seeing them.”

She pulls her knees to her chin. “I thought it would be a fresh start here, but it’s just been about…” She sighs and says, “Ignore me.”

“After this, we all need time to find ourselves.”

“All that sex must have made you more malleable.”

“Ha, that was almost funny.”

“No, honestly. I like you happy and less keen on destroying things. It’s good.”

My head drops. She is my best friend, and I hate to keep things from her, but time is running out.

“Say it already.”

I give her the envelope. “I need you to bring this to Grandmother tomorrow.”

“When?”

“You will know.”

“If this is one of your solo initiatives––”

“I want tonight to be just like any other night. Please.”

“I won’t like it, will I?”

“No, but it’s the only way.”

She smiles at me, a nostalgic gleam in her eyes before we hug each other tightly.

“I’ll always have your back.”

“Ditto.”

By the time I climb into bed next to Kaden, the sun is making its daily ascent. He pulls me to his warm chest, and I cuddle myself deeper to him. He will be so mad at me, but Blake is right about one thing: me being in the laboratory provides the best distraction.

“I love you, Kaden,” I whisper. “I’m so proud of the man you’re becoming.”

“And I hear this only when you think I’m asleep?” He makes a fake pouty face and I caress his jaw, giggling.

“I will compliment you from time to time. That ego of yours doesn’t need assurance that often.”

“Why aren’t you sleeping? Are you in pain? What can I do?”

My heart is so full it drips with the endless amount of love I feel for him.

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