Her hands lift slowly and grip my jacket.
Not pushing me away.
Holding on.
“Beau,” she whispers, “I’m falling.”
The words slam into me.
Heat. Fear. Hope.
All of it.
I pull back just enough to look at her. “Then fall. I’ve got you.”
She lets out a sob-laugh and nods fast. “Okay.”
That single word is everything.
I crush her to me, arms wrapping around her like I’m claiming a miracle. Mila clings back, burying her face in my chest, and I hold her like I’ve been waiting my whole life to.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers against me.
“Don’t,” I growl, kissing her temple. “Don’t apologize for being scared. Just don’t run.”
“I won’t,” she promises, voice thick. “I won’t.”
I lift her chin, needing to see her say it.
Mila’s eyes meet mine—raw, brave, real.
“I’m staying,” she says.
My chest goes tight.
“Say it again,” I demand, because I’m greedy.
Mila’s mouth trembles into a smile. “I’m staying, Beau.”
A sound rips out of me—half laugh, half groan.
I kiss her.
Hard.
Not polite.
Not gentle.
A kiss that saysmineandyoursandthank Godall at once.
Mila makes a soft sound and melts into me, hands fisting my jacket like she’s anchoring herself to the truth.
When I pull back, my voice is wrecked. “Come home.”
She nods, dazed. “Okay.”
Back at the cabin,I make her sit first.
