Page 35 of Almost Always

“You know that has nothing to do with you, right?”

“It hassomethingto do with me.”

“It’s about both of you. I got so caught up in blaming Zara too, but I obviously hadn’t provided enough support either.”

She frowned as she considered it. Clarke hadn’t been as supportive as her, but they hadn’t been a terrible partner. They…lied. Which was worse, right?

“We’re both doing really well considering,” he said softly, leaning against the railing beside her. “And I think us ending up in this small town is a sign.”

Looking up at him, she arched an eyebrow. “Is it now?”

“Yeah.”

He was so close that she could feel the warmth radiating off his body. Even the light hint of smoke wrapped around her like a comforting blanket. His eyes glowed in the moonlight and her heart almost gave up with how quickly the mood had changed. Everything was charged now, those feelings were sizzling under her skin.

They stared at each other, almost like they were waiting to see who would take the leap. So many things had been admitted and feelings were clearly there between them, but it also felt so overwhelming. Like one wrong move and everything would fall apart.

“Daddy?” a soft voice called out and as quick as lightning, Rafferty was inside the house.

She exhaled loudly and tipped her head back, eyes closed. The realization that she might have taken a shot registered as her hand landed over her racing heart. Nothing good would have come from that. Once she felt steadier, she gathered their bowls and beers and carried them back into the house. She rinsed everything out, loaded the dishwasher and wiped down the kitchen as Rafferty returned. In the brighter lights, she could see the dark circles beneath his eyes and exhaustion was written all over his face.

“Is he okay?”

“Nightmare,” he mumbled, filled a glass with water and knocked it back.

“You should rest, Raff.”

“I look that bad?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Three days of no sleep will do that. Come on, you can help me make up the guest room.” When she hesitated, he tilted his head. “You’re definitely not getting a ride at this time of night anyway.”

“I can sleep on the couch.”

“I’ll even toss in coffee and breakfast.”

“Now you’re talking.”

He chuckled and before she could talk herself out of it, she tucked hair behind his ear. She froze at the end of the action and he gently wrapped his fingers around her wrist. He would definitely feel the speed of her pulse, know that her heart was racing because of him.

“The long hair looks good on you.”

“Everything looks good onyou, Hero.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” She said it with as much sass as she could muster given the fire running up her arm at the contact.

“How about that guest room?” he said.

“How about it?”

He released her hand and she watched him walk off, eyes trailing the length of his strong body before she followed. Her bag was already in the room and she took a moment to look around the space. He told her where the bathroom was and started making the bed as she grabbed her things and hurried out before the most domestic thing distracted her all over again.

CHAPTER 12

It had been a long time since he’d talked about Zara or referenced his mother in any way, so saying the words had weighed on him. Other than his therapist, Daisy was the only person he’d ever talked to about what his mother went through. Given that he’d been young when she exited his life, everything he knew had come from his father. Even though he did all the necessary research about what she suffered, most of his thoughts were focused on whether or not it was passed down to children. Because what if he was so depressed, violence was the only choice he had?

The evening he told her about his mother all those years ago, they’d sat on the steps of the Ames brownstone—which was right next door to Daisy’s matching one. He knew she was probably too young to know all the details so he sugarcoated whatever he could. But saying the words out loud helped him. Halfway through his storytelling, they walked to their neighborhood bodega to buy sandwiches and sodas. It had helped to move through the city, with everyone rushing and buzzing around them.

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