Page 46 of A Pen Pal for Christmas

I took one more step toward her, careful not to crowd her. “Look, this isn’t about that kiss. You need somewhere safe, and I need to know that you’re safe. You can take the bed. I’ll take the chair. It’s not a big deal.”

She tilted her head, giving me that skeptical, searching look again. “But I’d be just as safe with Tommy.”

“Yeah, you would,” I said honestly, my voice low. “Tommy wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”

Her brows lifted, like she hadn’t expected me to admit it so easily. “Then why do you want me to stay with you?”

I rubbed the back of my neck as I searched for the right words. “Because… I guess I’d just feel better if you were here.”

“Better how?”

I met her gaze. “I want to be the one making sure you’re okay. Is that bad? Weird?”

She blinked, her cheeks coloring faintly as her gaze dropped to her hands. “I don’t think it’s bad or weird. Because, maybe… Maybe I’d feel better if I stayed here too.”

The confession burned around us, making my chest feel tight and strangely light at the same time. “So… we’re agreeing that this isn’t just about logistics and safety?” I asked carefully. “You want to stay here? With me?”

She let out a nervous laugh, her eyes flicking up to meet mine. “Yeah, I do. But then what does that make it about?”

I gave her a small smile. “Maybe it’s just about us needing to be around each other right now. All I know is, I’m going to feel a lot better knowing you’re close with Dane so bent on messing with you. I’d be climbing the walls all night if you went to your brother’s.”

Her lips twitched. “So, what? You’re just gonna… babysit me?”

“If that’s what it takes. Call it my protective era.”

“Oh, yeah? What kind of era would it be for me, then? My… cling-to-the-protective-guy era?”

If she wanted to cling to me, I was all for it, but this was deeper than that. This was something I felt like I had to do, and I wanted more than anything for her to want to let me.

“Maybe it’s your trust-the-guy-who-has-your-back era,” I suggested, the words coming out lighter than I felt.

She glanced toward the door, and I almost thought she’d push back again. But then, she smiled for real, and for the first time all night, it looked a little more free. “I can live with that.”

Relief washed through me, but I kept my expression neutral. “Good. Now let’s get through this report, and then we’ll get you settled.”

A second knock sounded, and this time, I opened the door to find Tommy and Grace, their faces tight with worry. Tommy’s gaze immediately snapped to Sofia, and he stepped past me without a word.

“Fi,” he said as she practically collapsed into his arms, her shoulders shaking as he held her tightly.

Grace gave me a small, grateful smile as she joined them, and I stepped back, giving them a moment.

But since they’d left my door open, I had a clear view of the officers treating Sofia’s room like the crime scene it was. My fists clenched at my sides. Seeing her so shaken before taking some measure of comfort in my arms only hardened my resolve.

Whatever this was, whatever Dane meant to accomplish with it—he’d regret it. That much, I knew.

Tommy and Gracelingered after the officers had left. I’d been keeping watch over Sofia in my room since the second the officers were done with her, and when they walked through the door, Grace went straight to Sofia with a steaming mug of what looked like tea.

“Hey, babe,” Grace said softly. “You okay?”

Sofia nodded but didn’t speak, her fingers twisting the edge of her sweater.

Grace glanced at me briefly, her expression grateful but concerned, before returning her attention to Sofia. “Got you some tea from downstairs. Wanna sit?”

Sofia nodded again, and Grace guided her toward the armchair near the window.

Tommy’s gaze followed them, his jaw set and his shoulders tense. Once Sofia was seated and Grace handed over the tea, Tommy stepped closer to me, lowering his voice.

“She’s staying here tonight?” he asked, an unmistakable edge to his low voice.

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