Page 35 of Beneath the Indigo Sky

Panic.

“Not your bed. Your guest bed. I mean, you’ll probably shower too so that there isn’t any in your bed either, but…” I groan and close my eyes.

His laugh warms my soul, and I want to step close and curl up in his arms again.

“Come on. I’ll show you the bedroom and bathroom.”

I quietly follow him down the short hall. Clearly, I can’t be trusted to speak without making a fool out of myself, so silence it is before I say something even more incriminating.

He opens the first door we encounter and steps inside, squatting down to rummage under the counter.

“Bathroom. Nothing fancy, but everything works. Here.” He holds out a wrapped toothbrush as he stands.

“Thank you.”

I want to make a joke about the fact that he has extra guest toothbrushes lying in wait for overnight guests, but that would definitely be a bad idea, and in truth, I don’t really want to think about anyone else that would need a new toothbrush spending the night here.

He pauses for a moment at the next door, and I’m almost knocked to my knees by the weight of the grief that rushes through him. He hasn’t felt sorrow this intense for months.

“You okay?” I let my hand reach out to rest on his arm.

He shakes his head abruptly, almost as if he’s pulling himself out of a trance, and he turns to face me.

“Yeah. I’m sorry. It’s just…”

He cocks his head to the side, and his eyes move to my hand, still resting on his forearm. I pull it away quickly.

“Could you…I mean…did you feel that from me?” His eyes narrow.

I blush and shift my gaze to the floor. I can’t help it. Ken is the only person who’s ever been aware of the way I can pick up their emotions before, and I’m not sure how to respond.

“Yeah. You were upset. You felt like you did when we first met. It wasn’t quite as intense, but it was the same heartache.”

He stands unmoving at my side until I force myself to raise my eyes and meet his gaze.

“That’s amazing, Namid.”

His voice is gentle and soft, and he searches my face as if he really does believe me. He believes me, and he’s not scared of me. I force an embarrassed half smile as he continues.

“Jordyn was the last one to use this room, that’s all. I don’t usually have guests.”

Fuck. I probably shouldn’t take Jordyn’s room.

“I can take the couch; it wouldn’t be a bother.”

“No. It’s okay. It’s just…it’s hard, ya know? But he’d want you to use it. I want you to use it.”

I don’t know what to say. I can only nod as he continues.

“I’ll go get you some pajamas, and then I’ll change the sheets while you shower.”

“I really would be fine on the co…”

When his brow furrows, warning me that he’s not going to lose this argument no matter how many times I offer to take the couch, all I can do is smile at the rush of affection that flows through me.

“Thank you, Jayce.”

A smile that seems almost tender flits across his lips before he turns and heads further down the hall.

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