Page 87 of Our Little Moments

He wraps his arm around my back and secures me closer to him. “That must have been so hard for you to go through.”

I nod. “It wasn’t easy, but I dealt with it. But that’s what happened this morning. I had a strange nightmare about cars and roads, turning into a labyrinth I couldn’t escape. I woke up, and nothing was right. It wasn’t just a dream anymore. So I came all the way here and I actually took control of my magic.” I grin as I wipe away a tear. “It’s the first time I managed to take back control, Adrian. I feel like me again. Maybe even a stronger version of me.”

He grins, his eyes lighting up with pride. “I knew you’d be able to do it the second I saw you in my sister’s coffee shop, Stella.”

I wipe away a happy tear. “I think I’m realizing why I came here in the first place. I could have gone anywhere, but I chose to come here. I had no idea why I picked this place, apart from my curiosity. But now, I think a part of me knew this is where I need to be. I always needed something slower, Adrian. A place where I can catch my breath and find my footing. To be surrounded by people who light up my life. To be with the person I fell in love with. To be somewhere that feels like home. I need to be here. I want to stay and build a future here.”

Adrian smiles, his hand squeezing mine. “Then we’ll build that peaceful life together.”

Chapter 34

Stella

When we come back to the cabins, we find everyone surrounding the campfire, their faces lined with worry. But when Hazel sees me, with Adrian a few steps behind, she runs to wrap me in a hug. Relief floods her face and the others turn and smile, visibly relaxing at the sight of me.

Jay and Adrian leave quietly for their respective cabins to start packing. It’s our last day here and we need to start preparing now so we don’t rush tomorrow morning, when we have to leave.

I hug Hazel back as she holds me tighter.

“You need to stop scaring me like that! I was worried for you.”

“I’m sorry. My powers were acting up and I didn’t want to bother anyone.”

“Stella, you are one of the only people I can say this to: I would fight anyone annoyed with you for something you cannot control. I really would.”

I smile. “I would for you too.”

She steps back. “I’m going to start packing with Nate. Come join us when you’re ready.”

As they step away, Layla and Isabella walk to join me. Layla wraps me in a tight hug. “You have no idea how much I was overthinking everything when I saw your magic acting up and we couldn’t find you. I know you couldn’t do much and I understand that feeling more than you could understand.” She sighs, hugging me tighter, continuing more softly, “I wish I could have fought that battle for you. I know how difficult it can be to fight battles in your own mind and I wish I could have done something for you. Just . . . Promise me you’ll tell me if there’s something I can do, okay?”

I hold her tighter. “I will. You always have me too, Layla.”

She steps away and points to her cabin where Sam is waiting for her. I laugh lightly and head to join Nate and Hazel to pack my own bags.

…

The afternoon passes in a blur of packing and talking about every subject under the sun. As night falls, we gather again by the fire. Being around a campfire late at night with these people is the definition of the word contentment. We’re all laughing and making the most of our last moments in this place. The stars shine above us, and a gentle breeze reminds us of the night slowly settling in.

None of us want this to end, so we all got our blankets to stay warm and moved the tree stumps to be closer to each other. Hazel and Nate are sitting on their stump next to me, huggingeach other’s sides. Their eyes glaze at us, but I can see just how much they don’t want this night to end.

Jay is sitting on the stump right in front of us, laughing hysterically.

Isabella seems happy about her return home and all the plans she has for running and for her coffee shop. It’s good to see her face so lit up after last night’s events. Layla and Sam are next to her, listening with sleepy smiles.

I’m starting to get tired too, but there’s nothing that could pull me away from these people. The cackle of the fire is relaxing, the night is peaceful and I’m curled up into Adrian’s side.

His thumb is rubbing soothing circles on my back and his arms hold me close to him. Every part of me knows I’m safe. We’re curled up in blankets, just like the others are, and this moment is perfect.

Sam and Jay are bickering, and it makes me smile to see Sam slowly come out of his shell. Isabella is trying, badly, to hide her laughter, and Layla smiles softly at the interaction.

Hazel and Nate are talking together softly next to me, with Hazel giggling quietly. I love seeing those two together.

I can’t drag my eyes away.

I clearly spoke too soon because I feel Adrian looking at me and kiss the crown of my head delicately. My eyes immediately shoot to his and he smiles playfully.

“What was that for?” I murmur as the others talk and laugh around us, but all my focus is on Adrian and the noises fade away, with only my steady heartbeat filling my ears.

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