The noise coming from her straw tells me that she’s also finished her dessert. But the satisfaction in my chest only multiplies when she makes a show of shutting off her phone and tossing it in the center console.
“I’m in the mood for murder,” she says as she picks up my phone, taps in my security code—the one she’s had for longer than I can recall—and chooses a true crime podcast. “Feels extra dangerous since I’m going to a house in the mountains with a white man in his thirties. I’m practically murder bait.”
I smile on the inside, because she sounds more like herself already. “It’s actually more like a cabin in the woods. We’re right on the lake but have views of the mountains, if that counts.”
“Even creepier. That’s perfect.” She grins as she presses Play on an episode and settles into her seat.
She’s asleep before we get to the first suspect. I pause where she left off so we can listen to it together when she wakes.
In silence, I let myself watch the only woman who has ever held my mind and heart captive sleeping peacefully next to me. And in that moment, I finally allow my thoughts to run wild.
She’s not marrying him.
And she never will.
Because she’s exactly where she needs to be.
Right here with me.
five
My eyelids feel likethey weigh a million pounds.
I have zero desire to open them. Instead, I curl into the soft caress against my cheek.
I don’t remember the last time I slept this well, and I’m doing everything I can to keep myself in this dreamlike state. Especially when the soothing voice I hear keeps lulling me into a deeper slumber.
“Time to wake up, Daze.” I feel the caress one more time, right as I recognize Luke’s voice.
Why is Luke in my room? Isn’t it the middle of the night? Where—
My eyes snap open as my mind catches up with the events that transpired only hours ago.
I’m in Luke’s truck.
And he’s standing between the open door and my seat, wearing a poorly veiled look of concern. “We’re here. Need help getting out?”
I rub my eyes, surely messing up whatever’s left of my eye makeup. “No, I’m good,” I say as I remain seated, blinking away the remnants of sleep.
I should probably make my way out of the car.
But I’m too distracted with how Luke’s body is backlit by the full moon. His hair is usually combed back or hidden under a baseball hat, but tonight it’s tousled, as if he spent the whole drive running his hands through it, allowing the strands to fall over his forehead. It looks so soft, and I feel the unusual need to run my fingers through it.
“You sure?” Luke’s gaze slides over me tenderly.
I’m not blind. I knew Luke was an incredibly good-looking man the moment I met him. His kindness and soft-spoken words only added to his overall appeal. But I was engaged back then. And this girl believes in loyalty. Even if it’s been blind and applied to the wrong people in my life.
I close my eyes and internally tell myself to get my shit together before any of my outrageous thoughts find a way to escape my lips.
I move to take off my seat belt, only to see I’ve already been unbuckled. Luke is still watching me, and if he doesn’t give my muddled brain some space, I might do something stupid like ask what kind of conditioner he uses.
Instead of answering, I force myself to take fistfuls of my dress and slide out of the elevated passenger seat, landing as gracefully as possible while looking like an undercooked cupcake.
Luke doesn’t move, which means we’re standing too close to one another. Closer than two people who are “just friends” should be standing. He must have the same thought a momentafter I do, because he takes a sizable step to the side. “I’ll get our bags and meet you at the front door.”
“Yep,” I chirp as I grab my phone and his hoodie before turning back around and making my way to the quaint A-frame cabin.
Or so I think that’s what I’m seeing. I can’t really focus on my surroundings since I’m trying my best not to trip over my dress while also avoiding scattered rocks and acorns.
