Page 17 of Press Play

“I don’t, but I will because I want you to stay with me.”

“Theo—”

“Don’tTheome.” His tone drops. “I want this. And honestly, it’s been far too quiet. You’ll remedy that.”

“Are you saying I’m loud?” I chuckle through my tears.

“Something like that.” He offers me a wide grin.

He and I both know I won’t feel safe anywhere else. It doesn’t have to be forever, maybe a month or so. This is a smart move, so why am I struggling to say the words out loud?

“Okay, I’ll stay with you.”

His expression lights up as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me close again. I breathe him in and sigh in contentment. He’s always smelled the same: prosecco and rich vanilla. I’ll never tire of his scent; it wraps me in a warm embrace and comforts me.

“You won’t regret it,” he murmurs against my cheek while stroking my hair. “I’ll keep you safe.”

With those rumbling words, a fluttering sensation takes flight in my stomach, growing in intensity as he squeezes me, and I worry my crush has resurfaced.

Chapter Nine

Theo

With a sharp intake of air,I blink my eyes open. The first thing I notice is Wren fast asleep. The second thing I realize is that we fell asleep holding hands.

A soft smile spreads across my lips when I look at her, and I trace the backside of her hand with my thumb.

“What am I going to do with you?” I ask, not expecting an answer.

She passed out shortly after agreeing to stay with me, and all I could do was watch her. I was in bed having a pity party because my home was too quiet while she was dealing with the aftermath of her mother’s reappearance.

“I’m going to take care of you,” I tell her, voice low. “Even if you hate me for it.”

She releases a huff and wrinkles her nose but doesn’t wake up. This girl can sleep through an alien invasion and wake up annoyed because someone had the audacity to ruin her peaceful slumber.

I brush her hair away from her face, take her hand in mine again, and offer her a smile when she opens her eyes.

“How did you sleep?” I ask.

“I can’t complain. I always sleep well when you’re here.” Heat rushes to my cheeks, and she grins at me. “Did I maketheTheodore Torres blush?”

I grin at her teasing. “You didn’t make me blush.” I lie, shifting slightly to lean on my elbow, still holding her hand. “You just surprised me, that’s all.”

She rolls her eyes, clearly not buying it. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.”

Wren’s hair falls in soft waves around her face, and I resist the urge to brush it away again. There’s something about her in the mornings—vulnerable, yet stronger than she realizes—that makes me protective, even though she would never admit she needs protecting.

“Fine.” I admit it, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Maybe a little. But don’t let it go to your head.”

“Oh, too late,” she says with a laugh, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

The sound is light, but there’s a softness beneath it. I know she’s still carrying the weight of her mother showing up, but this moment feels different. Lighter.

She tightens her fingers around mine and shifts closer, her smile fading into a more thoughtful expression. “Thanks... for being here,” she says quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I meet her gaze, the playful air between us morphing into something deeper. “I told you, I’m always here for you. You don’t have to thank me for that.”

She bites her lip, looking away for a second before returning her eyes to mine. “You say that like it’s nothing, but it means everything to me. Especially after...everything.”

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