Page 47 of A Pen Pal for Christmas

“She is,” I confirmed.

His gaze narrowed. “And why here, exactly? Why not with me and Grace?”

I hesitated, knowing I had to tread carefully. “We talked about it. She felt better about staying with me, and I felt the same. I’d never push her into anything she wasn’t comfortable with.”

Tommy crossed his arms as he seemed to weigh my words. “I get that. But you’ve known her for what, a few weeks? You’ll have to forgive me if I’m not ready to hand over all my trust.”

“You don’t need to apologize for protecting her. She’s your sister—it’s your job to question me.”

He studied me, his chin raised. “What’s going on between you two?”

“Tonight? Nothing beyond making sure she’s safe. We agreed to keep… whatever’s happening between us separate from that.”

“You really think you can keep those things separate when she’s staying in your room?”

I nodded once. “Absolutely. I care about her, and I’d never do anything to make her feel unsafe. Right now, my only focus is making sure she’s okay. Everything else can wait.”

Tommy exhaled slowly, his stance relaxing slightly. “Good. Because if you hurt her?—”

“You’ll kill me,” I finished for him with a faint smile. “I’d expect nothing less.”

His lips quirked, though his eyes stayed serious. “I mean it.”

“And I mean it when I say you won’t have to.”

Tommy studied me for another moment before nodding. “All right. She probably doesn’t need anyone else in her life going to prison, anyway.”

I winced.

Tommy chuckled, shaking his head. “Too soon?”

I held up my index finger about an inch from my thumb. “Just a little.”

“Don’t tell her I said that. Let’s blame it on how tired I am.”

I chuckled, and though I already liked Tommy, the way he was handling this conversation made me like him even more. Other than the bad joke, of course.

“In all seriousness, I appreciate you looking out for her,” he said, his eyes on his sister and wife now. “She’s been through enough, and she doesn’t need anyone messing with her head or her heart.”

“I know. And I won’t,” I vowed.

Grace approached us then, and she glanced between Tommy and me, clearly sensing the lingering tension. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah,” Tommy said, glancing at Sofia and softening as she gave him a faint smile. “Everything’s fine. You ready?”

“Yeah,” Grace nodded, not quite convinced. She gave Sofia one last wave before turning to me. “Thanks for everything you’re doing for our girl.”

I dipped my chin, then watched as Tommy went over to Sofia and kissed the top of her head. He whispered something in her ear that made her snort-laugh, and I couldn’t help but grin in response.

She was going to be just fine. We’d all make sure of it.

Tommy clapped me on the shoulder as he passed, leaning in just enough to mutter, “Take care of her.”

“I will,” I said firmly, holding the door as he joined Grace in the hall.

Later that night,the room was quiet except for the soft rhythm of Sofia’s breathing. She was curled up under the covers in my bed, her dark hair spilling over the pillow. It looked black between the darkness in the room and the fact that it was probably still wet. She’d showered after Tommy and Grace finally left, and since she hadn’t wanted to sift through the mess in her room until tomorrow, she’d borrowed my sweats and a T-shirt.

She swam in them, of course, but there was something about the sight of her in my clothes that hit me right in the chest. And now that she was fast asleep, her features completely relaxed for the first time since she’d banged on my door hours earlier, she’d never looked more beautiful to me.

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