Page 365 of Small Town Firsts

My little mouse whimpers, and my heart cracks a little more. "It's okay. I'm here."

She moves fitfully beneath the covers, and on instinct I lie down beside her. Immediately she turns and curls into me. "Sterling," she whispers, still asleep.

Thank you, God. Instinctually, her body recognizes mine. "It's me, baby."

I hold her close as she sighs, snuggling into me and falling into a peaceful sleep.

"Thank you," Stella whispers before heading back to her own room.

I tell myself I'm only going to lie with her for a little while, just long enough to make sure she's truly okay, and then I'll move to the couch so that I'm here if she needs me again.

Except the next thing I know, it's morning, and we're both blinking ourselves awake.

"Sterling?" She yawns, confusion swirling in her brown eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"You don't remember?" I ask, and she shakes her head.

"Remember what?"

"Stella called me last night because you were having a nightmare and she couldn't calm you down."

"Oh." She looks away from me.

Ever so softly, I reach over and grasp her chin between my thumb and index finger, bringing her gaze back to mine. "What have I told you about hiding from me? Don't be embarrassed. You've been to hell and back more than once and somehow come out stronger every time."

"I don't feel very strong."

"You are. So fucking strong. You just can't see it yet, but you will."

"So Stella called you? I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Don't you know I'd do anything for you?"

"Thanks, I guess." She pushes the covers off of her and sits up. "Might as well make you breakfast since you're here. It's the least I can do."

"What's on the menu?" I ask, following her into the kitchenette.

She swings open the fridge door, and I shamelessly check out her ass as she bends over and looks inside. "Well, unless you want water and bread, we better order in."

I laugh at her put-out tone. "Or, I can run out and get us something from Holy Roasters."

"Really? You'd do that?"

"You know I would."

She closes the fridge and wraps me in a hug, shocking the hell out of me. "Thanks, Ster."

"Anything for you, baby." And I fucking mean it...

Anything.

CHAPTER 44

EMMY

After Sterling leaves,I head back into my room to get changed out of my pajamas. When I emerge, Stella's at the counter pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"So… I had a nightmare?"

---