I do, but Stefan needs me more. “Cuddling would be nice.”
He moves so he’s lying on the bed and raises his arm, inviting me to join him. I snuggle up next to him and hug him while he strokes my shoulder.
“I don’t think Beau is ever going to forgive Mum for leaving the way she did.”
“Do you think you can?”
Stefan shrugs. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t have to forgive her to reconnect with her.”
Stefan sighs heavily. “Would it be fair of me to contact her just to tell her how much she’s hurt me and Beau?”
“Is that what you’d be doing? Or would you be asking for her side of the story?”
“I don’t know. Both? It feels wrong.”
“Why?”
“Reunions should be joyous things.”
“That’s not true. Sometimes they’re about fulfilling a need to understand or simple curiosity.”
Stefan kisses my hair. “You’re so wise.”
I snort. “Hardly. I say stuff that sounds good and hope it impresses people.” I lift my head and grin at him. “Have I impressed you?”
“Repeatedly.”
My grin fades as the iron grip of sleep tightens around me. My eyelids become heavy and slowly drift shut. I fight against it, snapping them open again.
“Sleep,” Stefan urges. “You’ve been amazing.”
I drop my head onto the pillow. My eyelids close and seal themselves shut. I feel Stefan wrapping himself around me and snuggle into the safe space created by his body and arms. I must remember to give him the sketch I drew of him. It might make him smile.
10
STEFAN
Quinn sleeps for around half an hour, and then we cuddle and talk some more.
“You need to work, don’t you?” I ask.
I have no idea how long we’ve been talking for.
Quinn squeezes me gently. “You need me more.”
“I appreciate that more than you know, but you have deadlines.”
“I do.” He tilts his face up to look at me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m a lot better now.”
I capture his waiting lips and gently slide my tongue into his mouth. Happiness flutters inside me, chasing away my deflated anger. I’m sure it will come back once I’m alone again, but for now, I welcome the relief Quinn gives me.
“Are you sure you want me to go?”
I pull him so he’s half lying on top of me and kiss him more fiercely. “No.” I rest my forehead against his. “But you should. Beau will be home soon, and then I’ll need to talk to him.”
