Page 24 of Raven

We sat like that for a while, watching the sky bleed orange and gold across the water.

Then I said the one thing I’d been afraid of since he walked into my life.

“I don’t know how to be… normal. I’ve always been a bit different. My Dad always said I was special because I always had to be doing something.”

Raven set down his mug and shifted toward me. “Good.”

That threw me. “What?”

“I don’t want normal,” he said. “I wantyou.”

I opened my mouth, but he cut me off softly, firmly.

“You don’t have to be perfect. Or put-together. Or fixed. You just have to stop walking away.”

I blinked against the burn in my eyes. “You make it sound easy.”

“It’s not. But it’s worth it.”

He reached for my hand, slow and sure, like he didn’t want to startle me. Then he pulled me onto his lap and kissed me.

Something in my chest cracked wide open.

I leaned into him, my head on his shoulder, his arm wrapping around me like armor.

And just like that…

I stopped fighting.

* * *

That night,the house glowed with soft light.

Raven cooked—nothing fancy, just grilled fish and roasted potatoes—and we ate barefoot on the floor with Mike between us and Mandy keeping guard by the door.

There was laughter.

And wine.

And that quiet hum of connection that didn’t need words.

When the plates were cleared and the lights turned low, he reached for me again—slower this time, like asking a question.

I answered with a kiss.

No rush.

No fire.

Just need.

And trust.

* * *

Later,wrapped in his arms beneath a blanket, I whispered, “I’m scared.”

He kissed my temple. “Good.”

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