Page 154 of Before Dawn

A choked sound left me as I opened the first book. His handwriting was everywhere—small notes in the margins, underlined passages, carefully highlighted sentences.

He read them. He read them for me.

And he hadn’t just read them—he had taken the time to pick out things he thought would help.How to breathe through anxiety. How to be kinder to myself. How to embrace my body as it is.

The thoughtfulness of it overwhelmed me. The weight of his care settled over me as surely as the blanket I still clutched. He wasn’t just loving me—he was helping me love myself.

A fresh wave of tears threatened to spill over. Sniffling, I reached for my phone with shaky fingers and typed out a message.

Me:I know you’re probably driving, but I couldn’t wait to say thank you. The blankets are amazing. I’m going through the books now, and I can’t even begin to explain how much this means to me. You’re amazing.

I set my phone down, hugging the books to my chest, breathing in deep. He understood me in ways I hadn’t even thought possible.

Moments later, my screen lit up.

S:I’m glad you love them, mi amor. Sleep well, beautiful.

I smiled, wiping at my damp cheeks.I would.

Chapter Thirty-five

Abigail-Ann

“The strongest love is the love that can demonstrate its fragility.”

~ Paulo Coelho

Ispent the day wrapped in Mikkel’s arms, falling harder for him with each passing moment. Every night, I thanked God for bringing him into my life.

“Mikkel?” I called, stepping into the hallway.

“Living room,” his voice drew me in.

I found him lounging on the sofa, a lazy smile spreading across his face as he saw me. Without hesitation, I curled into his lap, sighing as his fingers drifted through my hair in slow, soothing strokes.

“This might be the softest sofa I’ve ever sat on,” I murmured, melting into him.

He chuckled, the sound deep and warm. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should. This feels like luxury,” I teased, shifting slightly so I could look up at him.

His lips curved into a smirk. “It is luxury.”

Before I could respond, his lips captured mine, stealing the breath from my lungs. His hand slid to my waist, fingers pressing lightly, drawing me even closer. The world outside this moment blurred, my senses drowning in the way he kissed me with the kind of hunger that made me forget everything else.

I traced my fingers along the sharp line of his jaw, deepening the kiss, my body pressing against his. Heat unfurled between us like a slow-burning flame, steady and consuming. Just as my hands slipped beneath my sweater, his phone buzzed on the table.

Mikkel groaned against my lips, resting his forehead against mine. “Terrible timing.”

“Terrible,” I agreed breathlessly, unable to hold back a small laugh.

Annoyance flickered across his face as he checked the caller ID. With a sigh, he pressed the speakerphone.

“Ronan,” Mikkel said, his voice edged with impatience. “There better be a damn good reason for this call.”

“Very hostile,” Ronan’s voice crackled through the speaker. “What are you doing?”

“My girlfriend.”

---