“Her engagement ring tipped me off.”
My mom drew in a breath. “Don’t do this to yourself, Nathan. She’s moved on.”
The words struck me, sharp and painful, in my chest.
“You’ll get hurt if you let yourself get attached again.”
“I know,” I whispered. “You don’t need to worry. There are clear boundaries. We have a plan.”
“If you say so…” Another clatter of dishes sounded in the background. “I'm sorry, Nathan, I’ve got plans—”
“Of course. I should probably try to sleep.”
“If you need anything, call me, all right? Any time.”
I nodded, the pressure in my chest easing with her reassurance, her support. “I promise. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.”
There was no way I’d get any more sleep.
13
BRENNA
Eight years ago
Tap, tap, tap.The faint sound pulled me from my sleep, thanks to me being the lightest sleeper in history.
I shot up, looking at my window. The outline of a hand positioned on the glass, ready to knock. My heart hammered so loudly I could feel it throughout my body.
I stumbled to my feet, to the window, preparing myself to see an unfamiliar face. It’d be fine. I’d bolt from the room, scream for help. But throwing open the curtains revealed Nathan in a dark hoodie that shaded half his face. I heaved a sigh of relief before I unlocked the window, pushed it as high as it would go,and carefully popped the screen out so Nathan could climb into my room.
“You woke me up,” I grumbled. “And scared the shit out of me.”
Even grumpy and tired, my body responded to his presence. Heart pounding. Stomach swooping. Mouth dry. Nathan made me comfortable in a way no one else could, and he always had. But the devious smile he tossed my way also sent delicious anticipation zipping through me. For the rest of my life, I would chase this thrill. No other feeling could rival it.
“Care to explain why you’re lurking outside my bedroom window?”
Nathan straightened to his full height, towering over me. I still hadn’t gotten used to it. I’d hit my growth spurt earlier than him, so for a while, we’d been eye-to-eye.
“I’m not the one who keeps my window latched.”
I scoffed. “Someone could break in.”
He laughed. “Bren, we’re in Middlebury. Nothing bad ever happens here.”
I leveled him with a look. “I’m going to keep locking my window.”
Nathan took a step toward me, then another, pushing me back until my knees hit the mattress. “And I’ll keep leaving mine open.” He winked.
My knees buckled.
Nathan leaned down, his hands resting on either side of my head, caging me. His eyes traced my face, the anticipation of him kissing me becoming unbearable. The moonlight shining through the window illuminated us, allowing me to admire those turquoise eyes.
“Nate, are you okay?”
He shook his head, one brief, slow movement. “Sometimes, I can’t believe how long it took me to see what was right in front of me.”
