Page 90 of You Found Me in the Dark
She didn’t say anything—just let the tears fall, quiet and unashamed. As she nodded a silent yes, I reached up and brushed one from her cheek with the back of my hand.
I leaned in and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head, letting the silence speak for me. Then I rose, still holding her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. When she stood, I pulled her gently into me, wrapping my arms around her like she was something fragile and precious. And then I kissed her until the noise of the world faded, until it was just us. Me and Wren.
Nothing else existed.
When I finally pulled back, I rested my forehead against hers. Our breaths mingled in the quiet, her fingers still laced with mine.
“Come on, pretty girl,” I whispered, brushing my lips softly against hers once more. “Let’s go home.”
When we got back to the house, I shut the door softly behind us and locked it with a quiet click. The world felt still.
“I’m exhausted,” I whispered. “Let’s get some sleep.”
She nodded, flashing me that sleepy smile I loved so much. We crawled onto the couch, limbs folding into each other without a second thought, just like the night we’d fallen asleep in the back of my truck. Her head rested on my chest, our legs tangled together.
This… this felt like home.
She felt like home.
“I could sleep like this every night for the rest of my life,” I whispered, and kissed her head.
“So, let’s do it.” She sleepily replied, yawning.
She was tucked against me, her breath soft and even against my chest, like she finally felt safe. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t need to. I just held her closer, memorizing the shape of her in my arms, the way her fingers curled against my shirt like she belonged there. Like she always had. Whatever came next, I knew we’d survive it together. I let my eyes close, her warmth sinking into me, and for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe in forever. We both did.
58
WREN
Iwoke up to the feeling of Reed’s chest rising and falling beneath my cheek, the steady rhythm grounding me before my eyes even opened. The early light was just beginning to filter through the living room window, pale and soft. His arm was still draped over my back, our legs tangled together beneath the small fleece blanket. I tilted my head and looked up at him. His lashes were long, and his mouth was slightly parted, breath even, like he was dreaming of something good. Hopefully me.
I smiled and let myself watch him for a moment, brushing my fingers gently down the tattoo on his bicep, tracing the curve of ink I’d fallen asleep beside.
He stirred, just barely, and then his voice came out low and rough. “You’re staring.”
“You were peaceful. I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Best way to wake up,” he mumbled, his hand sliding down to the small of my back. “Still can’tbelieve we’re here.”
“Me neither,” I whispered, pushing up to press a kiss to his jaw. “But I’m not going anywhere.”
His eyes opened then, warm and heavy-lidded. “Good.”
We lay there for a while longer, the silence between us easy and full. No rush. No weight. Just the morning stretching out in front of us like a soft promise.
Eventually, footsteps creaked down the hall, and I heard the low murmur of voices. Cam appeared first, shirtless, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand and looking half-asleep.
“Morning.” He poked his head into the living room quickly, then headed for the kitchen.
Lena followed a second later, her calico hair in a messy braid, an old sweatshirt of Cam’s hanging off one shoulder. “Hey dumb dumbs.”
Reed laughed under his breath. “Good morning to you too.”
Lena gave us a lazy smirk, then dropped into the armchair across from the couch, tucking her feet beneath her. “You two look cozy.”
I sat up slowly, brushing my hair out of my face. “You’re just jealous.”
Cam opened the fridge. “Is Harper still asleep?”
