He studies me, like he’s looking for cracks. Whatever he finds, it makes his jaw shift like he wants to say more but decides against it.
He nods instead. “Okay.”
He disappears into the bathroom and returns a minute later with a glass of water and two ibuprofens.
I blink up at him.
“For the soreness,” he says, with a half-smile. “And maybe the emotional hangover, too.”
I snort, soft and tired. “You’re too observant.”
He leans down, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Just looking out for my girl.”
Those two little words settle somewhere deep in my chest. It’s warm, dangerous, and terrifying.
My girl.
He disappears back into the bathroom, and the sound of the shower starting fills the room. Steam fogs the edge of the mirror. The scent of cedar soap drifts out with him.
I stare at the ceiling, swallowing down the lump in my throat.
It’s not regret.
It’s not even fear of him.
It’s the fear of how much I want this.
How easily I could fall.
How hard it might hurt if the fall doesn’t end the way I hope it will.
I take the ibuprofen. Wash them down. Curl back into the warm sheets still holding his scent. And I wait.
Because when he comes out? I’ll either pull him closer. Or start figuring out how to walk away.
Sam emerges from his shower, heading into the closet. Like a coward, I hurry to the bathroom, closing the door behind me. The warm water feels wonderful on my aching body, but nothing seems to shake the melancholy that’s settled over me.
When I step into the bedroom, Sam’s gone, but there’s a steaming mug of coffee on the nightstand for me.
My eyes water and I hurry into the closet before they can fall. I pick another pair of too-big sweatpants and a thick sweatshirt with the ranch’s logo on it.
I dress and make my way toward the kitchen where I hear Phern and Sam talking.
Sam’s head turns toward me as I enter, his expression unreadable, but his eyes soften the moment they land on me. He doesn’t say anything and neither do I.
Phern doesn’t seem to notice the tension in the room, bless her.
“Good, you’re up,” she says, brushing crumbs from her hands as she moves around the kitchen. “I was just telling Sam I think we can get the driveway cleared today. Shouldn’t be too bad if the sun holds.”
She shoots a pointed glance at me, teasing but not unkind. “If we can, we’ll head into town tomorrow. Grab supplies. Clothes that actually fit you.”
I force a smile, grateful for the levity. “That would be awesome. Thank you.”
I take a sip of coffee, the heat sinking deep into my chest.
“But what about the bridge?” I ask, more cautiously.
Sam leans his elbows on the island, cradling his own mug. “That’s the question. Liam’s going to call in today with an update. If the water’s dropped low enough, we might get someone out to assess the damage.”
