Page 72 of You Found Me in the Dark
The way he said it—no hesitation, no apology—sent something sharp and bright through my chest.
I looked up at him, the weight of everything between us pressing in. And then I kissed him—not out of lust or desperation, but because I needed to remind both of us we were choosing this.
“Stay,” I whispered against his lips.
“I wasn’t going anywhere,” he said, before kissing me again. When we broke apart, he reminded me that we needed to clean up our little mess from earlier.
While I showered, Reed replaced the sheets with new ones and put a frozen pizza in the oven for us. He even straightened my pillows and put the comforter back on. Sounds like the bare minimum, but I was just happy I didn’t have to do it myself.
I came back into my bedroom, shutting the door behind me. My damp hair fell past my shoulder blades, making my worn shirt a bit wet. I went for comfy rather than cute pajamas. They were green and blue plaid pajama pants. We sat together on my bed and ate an entire pizza together. The ideal date night.
We didn’t have any plans of going to bed, even though it was nearing half past ten. Instead, we stayed wrapped in the blanket, tangled together in the warm hush of my bedroom. Reed’s arm curled around my waist, our legs overlapping, and our fingers laced together. It was quiet, intimate. Unrushed.
We talked for hours. We’d already started with the heavy stuff the other night at the lookout. Tonight was about the rest of it. The little things. The normal things.
I learned Reed hates cilantro with a passion, that he’s weirdly good at chess, and that he once sprained his wrist jumping from a roof because someone dared him to. I learned he has a thing for thunderstorms but says they only sound good when you’re watching them on a porch or trying to sleep.
He learned that I have been painting again and posting my work online. I showed him the picture I took of my art because there was no way I was leaving this bed to show him my work in person. I told him that I was too afraid to share that part with him or Cam because it felt new again, and I couldn’t tell if I loved or hated my work. But fuck, I missed it so much.
I explained to him that I have another commission coming up for a wealthy family in Whistler Bay County. It is a floral painting that incorporates all the flowers from their family tree, dating back almost a hundred years. I have the entire summer to do it, but they are paying six months worth of my wages. I couldn’t be more excited to get back into my element and watch people fall in love with my art again. I finished it offtelling him that I feel most like myself when I’m barefoot at the beach.
I wasn’t used to this part. The softness. The curiosity. The way his eyes didn’t stray or wander—just stayed on me like I was some kind of answer he’d been waiting to find.
He told me he was proud of me and kissed my forehead. It was a comfort I hadn’t known I needed from someone who didn’t want to fix me, just see me. All of me.
Reed tilted his head down toward me. “Hey, have you heard from Harper?”
I nodded. “Yeah. She texted me earlier,” I said softly, brushing my fingers against his. “Had to give her a small update. And she and Lena are coming by tomorrow morning for breakfast. Pretty sure they’re bringing food, but knowing your sister, she will forget.”
His brow lifted, and he let out a quiet breath. “In your little update did you tell them you rode me and I came in you?”
“No,” I laughed, hitting his arm playfully. “Yoursistermight not want to hear that. But I may have mentioned we had sex in the bed of your truck.”
He gave a low chuckle and kissed the top of my head again. “Yeah, you’re probably right, Birdie.”
I curled tighter against him, the weight of his arm grounding me. I love how it felt like I belonged here with him. Having him in my bed felt right. I hope Cam will give us a shot, not that it would matter if he didn’t. I know he’s overprotective because he felt like he was too late saving me from Dad and Tyler, but I feel safe with Reed. I am not sure anyone has ever loved me the way this man does.
We lay together in the quiet after that. I shut my eyes and just relaxed. Being here with him felt so right. I wasn’t sure how muchtime had passed before I noticed Reed’s breaths becoming calm and rhythmic.
I opened my eyes to see his shut and his mouth slightly parted. He was sleeping so soundly. Before I decided to fall asleep in his arms, I whispered to him.
“I love you, too, Reed.”
44
REED
Iheard movement before I even opened my eyes. The low creak of floorboards. A cupboard shutting too hard. Cam never was a morning person, and judging by the way he was clattering around the kitchen, today wasn’t any different.
Wren was still asleep beside me, her breath warm against my shoulder, one leg thrown over mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I pressed a kiss to her forehead and slid out from under her and the blankets, careful not to wake her. I pulled on my jeans and shirt from last night, ran a hand through my hair, and padded barefoot down the hallway.
The house was filled with morning light, all soft gold and dust motes, but tension still clung to the walls like smoke. Cam was at the kitchen counter, back to me, pouring cereal.
I cleared my throat.
He didn’t turn.
