Just in case, and because I don’t want any holes in our story, I hit the store. Grab crackers. Altoids. A couple candy bars, and head straight back to the stateroom.
She’ll be worried that Luna’s worried. I can smooth that over. That part, at least, I still know how to do. And then… I don’t know.
I guess we’ll sleep. Me on the damn pull out and her on the massive bed.
When I open the door, a breeze from the open balcony stirs the air, stirring up the scent of blue jasmine.
One lamp burns in the room.
And there she is.
Barefoot, heels kicked off, still in that short blue dress—wrinkled now from where she’s collapsed on top of the covers, curled up on her side.
For as long as we’ve been together, Ashley hasn’t changed. Not really. She’s still devastating in a way that’ll always get me. Beautiful. Sexy. Without even trying.
The fabric clings, hitched up on her thighs. Her hair—lighter now, freer—spills across the pillow, catching the lamplight like a halo.
This is the woman who never goes to bed without her routine.
The rituals that mark the days. Five steps to wash her face. Hair brushed smooth. Pillows fluffed until they’re just right.
She’s always been the one who keeps the rest of us standing. The reason everyone else gets to fall apart.
But tonight, the rituals are gone.
And without them, she looks… breakable.
Fragile.
I did this.
I did this to her. Damn it.
I sit my phone on the side table, drape my jacket over the chair, and toe off my shoes, quietly, in case she’s asleep.
Then I ease onto the bed behind her.
For a second, I just watch the rise and fall of her shoulder, the slow rhythm of her breathing. And because this is us, I slide an arm around her waist.
When she exhales—a breathy, uneven sound—it feels like forgiveness even though I know it isn’t.
Her voice comes out small, rough around the edges. “The Dance. It just reminded me…”
“I know.” My lips brush her hair.
“Did Luna?—?”
“She’s fine. Just thinks you’re tired.” I manage a weak smile she can’t see. “A woman in your delicate condition and all.”
Ashley groans quietly, and I tighten my arm around her.
“It’s okay,” I whisper.
“We can’t do this,” she says after a long moment. Her voice wavers, and it’s killing me. Ashley’s always been steady.
The tremor in her voice makes my throat burn.
“We can do whatever we want,” I murmur, pressing my lips to her temple. “Just let me hold you.”
