Brendon’s gaze meets mine, and I see him weighing it. The choice. The implications.
Then he looks back at Daisy, and his voice is gentle. “If your mom says it’s okay.”
Daisy’s head snaps toward me. “Mom?”
Every instinct in me screams to say no. To draw a line. To protect the fragile equilibrium of our life.
But I look at Daisy’s face, so open and hopeful, and I think of how she sat on an ambulance bumper today and told the world that heroes show up.
I think of Brendon carrying her out of smoke.
I think of my own heart, still beating too fast, still refusing to be done with him.
“Let’s talk about it tomorrow,” I say carefully, choosing the only safe answer. “Right now, it’s bedtime.”
Daisy sighs dramatically but stands, folder clutched to her chest. “Fine. But you have to promise you’ll think about it.”
“I promise,” I whisper.
She hugs Brendon on her way out, wrapping her arms around him like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Brendon freezes for half a second, like he’s not used to being held like that.
Then his arms fold gently around her, careful and steady.
When she disappears down the hall, the house goes quiet again.
Brendon looks at me, his expression unreadable now, and the air between us is thick with everything we haven’t said.
“I should go,” he says quietly.
Relief and disappointment crash together in my chest.
“Yeah,” I manage. “It’s been… a day.”
He nods, grabbing his coat. At the door, he hesitates, hand on the knob.
“I’m glad she’s okay,” he says. “And Abby…” His voice drops. “I meant what I said. I never stopped caring.”
My throat tightens. I can’t trust my voice, so I just nod.
He leaves.
I check on Daisy twice, smoothing her hair back, making sure her chest rises and falls steadily. She sleeps hard, worn out from fear and adrenaline and hero stories.
Back in the kitchen, I stand alone, staring at the spot where his mouth was on mine, where my hands gripped his shirt like I was afraid he’d vanish.
I haven’t kissed anyone in years.
Celibacy wasn’t loneliness. It was armor. It was the simplest way to make sure Daisy never had to watch someone come into our life and then leave.
And now the one man who ever mattered is back, and the armor feels thinner than paper.
I press my fingertips to my mouth, my skin still tingling.
FOUR
BRENDON
