Page 46 of Resilient Love

It’s a frustratingly accurate assessment. One that makes me feel bare to her, and not in a way I’m comfortable with.

I clear my throat. “I’ll tell you her name, but only if you promise not to laugh,” I say, pinning her with my gaze.God, I hope she laughs.Her laughter dances into the darkest parts ofmy heart, somehow managing to restart the mechanics of it with the sound alone.

“That bad, huh?” she asks, tilting her head.

“Mrs. Purrito,” I say, my voice as deadpan as possible under the circumstances.

Her wide eyes meet mine, a completely blank face taking over her expression. She blinks twice, slowly.And then it happens.That loud laughter billows out of her, catching her by surprise as her shoulders shake, and her eyes well with unshed tears. My cheeks burn from the involuntary smile I’ve been wearing since she arrived, and right now is no different.

God, she’s beautiful when she laughs. Hell, she’salwaysso beautiful, it makes my chest ache.

“Well, aren’t you full of surprises?” she muses when the laughter has stopped and she’s managed to catch her breath.

I wrap my arms around her waist and toss her over my shoulder. She releases a surprised yelp but doesn’t even miss a beat, smacking my ass as I carry her into my room, ignoring the high-pitched wail of the tea kettle.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

THURSDAY, MAY 8

I unlock the door,turning the knob slowly, pushing it open as quietly as possible. Once it’s locked behind me, I hang my coat and toe off my boots, pulling my phone out to text Rafael that I got here safely, like he demanded when I left.

I’d told him I couldn’t stay because I had an early run planned with Chelsea and they’d know something was up if I didn’t go home now. But that wasn’t even remotely true. The real reason I had to get out of there was because things were feeling entirely too…real.

I’ve never been in a relationship and have had no real desire to do so. Which means I’m not certain that this feeling even accurately resembles what it would be like to want thatfor myself, but just the knowledge that itcouldbe, scared me straight back to my place. I had to get out of there and let myself breathe without Rafael’s overwhelming presence weaselling further into my being. It makes me worry that the newness of our situation is nothing more than a mass dopamine rush that I can’t quit chasing.

I shove the worry away and pull up our message thread, blushing when I remember how our last text exchange had gone.

Just got home. Thanks for a fun night.

Sunny D

Anytime sunshine, thanks for coming.

My cheeks heat again, and a fluttering sensation erupts in my chest, that is, until his next message comes through.

Sunny D

Literally ;)

Goodnight.

Sunny D

Night, trouble.

I click the side button, turning the screen off before heading to the staircase. The lights flick on, and a shrill shriek leaves not just my lungs, but Chelsea’s too.

“Chelsea,” Adhira says, pinning her with a glare, “are you bloody serious? You were the one who turned the lights on in the first place!”

“I know, but her screaming scared me!” she yells back at her.

I’m still clutching my chest, sucking in deep breaths as I recover from the ambush.

“What the hell was that for?” I grit out, and three sets of eyes land on me.

“Don’t play dumb, little girl,” Chelsea chides with her hands on her hips.

“Chels, would you stop? That’s weird,” Letty complains, shaking her head. “We want to know where you went tonight and why you’re sneaking in like a burglar.”

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