Page 76 of Stuck with my Pack
“Be good,” he murmurs, his gaze flickering with meaning.
Then Ethan moves in, his fingers threading into my hair as he tilts my head up. His kiss is softer than I expected, controlled but undeniably deep. When he pulls away, his forehead rests against mine for a brief second before he exhales.
“Just be careful, Sophie.”
A warmth spreads through me, and on its heels, all of my fears linger even as I step back, inhaling the crisp morning air. “Always,” I promise, flashing them one last smile before turning toward town.
I can still feel their eyes on me, their instincts bristling at letting me go, but I need this—a moment to breathe.
Even if part of me already misses them before I’ve even left.
The cold air bites at my cheeks as I walk into Twilight Harbor, passing Ethan’s orchard. The crisp scent of winter and saltwater fills my lungs.
When I reach downtown, the streets are bustling despite the season. Locals are wrapped in thick coats, their laughter carrying through the air as they move between small shops and the cozy warmth of cafés.
It feels good to be here, away from the inn and the heavy emotions swirling inside me. But there’s still a nervous flutter in my chest, a weight pressing on me as I approach the café where Lily is waiting.
The café is warm, the scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries wrapping around me as I step inside. A soft chime announces my arrival, and I just stand there for a moment, letting the comfort of it all soak in. My gaze sweeps the room until I spot her—Lily—tucked into a corner booth, cradling a small bundle in her arms.
She looks up before I even make it halfway across the room, her sharp eyes catching mine. A grin spreads across her face as she indicates the seat across from her. “Took you long enough,” she teases. “I was starting to think you’d chickened out.”
I snort, shaking my head as I slide into the booth. “Please, if I were going to ditch, you’d just track me down.”
“Damn right, I would.” She smirks, then nods toward the baby wrapped snugly against her chest. “Wanna hold her?”
I hesitate. It’s not that I don’t want to, but something about holding something so small, so fragile, feels terrifying in a way I can’t name. But when Lily shifts the baby toward me, instinct takes over, and I reach for her.
She’s warm and impossibly soft, her tiny body tucking perfectly into the curve of my arms. Her little fingers twitch in her sleep. I stare down at her, something tight curling in my chest.
“She’s perfect,” I murmur, running a fingertip over her downy cheek.
Lily lets out a small chuckle, shifting in her seat. “She’s also demanding as hell. Just like her mama.”
“What’s her name?”
“Charlie,” Lily says with so much reverence it’s contagious.
A smile tugs at my lips, but it doesn’t fully form. I keep staring at the baby, at how she fits so easily in my arms, at how something in me both aches and settles all at once.
“Did you always want this?” I ask softly.
Lily’s expression turns thoughtful, her gaze drifting toward the window.
“Not always. I thought I wanted freedom and adventure. But when I found out I was pregnant, everything changed.”
She looks back at me, eyes sharp and assessing. “What about you?”
I swallow hard, shifting my hold on the baby.
“I never really thought about it. Never let myself. I was too busy proving I didn’t need anyone.”
Her head tilts slightly. “And now?”
The words catch in my throat.
“Now…I don’t know,” I admit. “I see you, and I think maybe…maybe I do want something like this. A family. A place where I truly belong.”
A knowing smile tugs at Lily’s lips.
