She fit there just like she was meant to, tucked under my chin and close to my heart. Her breath came unevenly at first, shallow little gasps that eased against my shirt. I could smell all the familiar things I now associated with Lila. Sugar and coffee with just a trace of vanilla. I was so thankful she hadn’t left me hanging, but I’d been willing to keep on chipping away at her resistance if I had to.
After a long time, she spoke, voice muffled. “I keep thinking if I just act normal, maybe he’ll go away.”
“Derek?”
She nodded against me. “But now maybe he’s working with Milton. That’s what Wade thinks. Maybe.” Her head shook against my shirt.
Wade had told me the whole crazy story, but I was having trouble with it. So I figured she would be too. “I’m not sure what to think either, but it’s possible. They’re not going to just disappear,” I said quietly. “But that doesn’t mean you’re on your own.”
Her hands fisted in my shirt. “You shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
I tipped her chin up so she had to look at me. “I deal with broken things every day, sugar. Houses, walls, foundations. It’s what I do.” I leaned closer to her so I could reach out and graze my thumb to brush the edge of her jaw. “But you’re not broken. You’re just tired. And that’s allowed.”
Her eyes softened, glassy with tears she didn’t botherto hide anymore. “You make it hard to stay away, you know that? I was trying to do the right thing.”
“Good,” I said, a small smile tugging at my mouth. “I want to be where you are. And I’m charming. I knew I’d wear you down. I still need to earn my five-star review.”
That earned me a watery laugh. “Charm? Is that what you call it?”
“Is it working?”
She rolled her eyes, but the tension in her shoulders eased. Then, without warning, she leaned in and kissed me.
God, I’d missed my mouth on hers. When she pulled back, she stayed close, her breath brushing my cheek.
“You feel like home,” she whispered.
The words hit deep. “Then I’m not going anywhere,” I said.
“Okay,” she murmured, and that tiny flicker of belief glowed faint and steady in her eyes. “Then I won’t either.”
41
Wade
We need to change the group chat name.
Kipp
It's been “Dysfunction Junction” for three years. It's perfect.
Wade
It's a dad joke.
You're just mad because you didn't think of it.
Sage
I vote we keep it.
Phiny
I've pitched “Foster the People” twelve times.
Lo
That's worse, Phiny.
