Forget morals or consequences. The only thing in my sights was beautiful Jamie.
“I’m okay.” She was already trying to sit up.
I kept a hand on her shoulder, firm enough to stop her. She’d bolt if I let her. I could sense that she lived with a constant readiness to flee.
“Not yet.” I smoothed her hair back from her face. “Give yourself a minute.”
Dylan took a step back like he’d been shut out. Good. Maybe he was getting the fucking hint.
“What can I get you?” I asked her, keeping my focus where it belonged.
“I don’t need anything. Honest.” She looked more like herself with every breath.
“Then sit up slowly.” I slid my hand behind her head, ready to catch her if she tipped again.
I wasn’t going anywhere.
In fact, I needed to be closer.
I could’ve told myself it was to give her something solid to lean on. But the truth was simpler. I wanted her within reach. Her body tucked against mine.
I sat, pulling her gently into my side and wrapping an arm around her before she could argue. “How’s that?”
Color crept up her neck, blooming across her cheeks. It might’ve been embarrassment from almost fainting or the fact that she was beside me again. Didn’t matter. I liked the effect either way.
Dylan cleared his throat. “Jamie, you sure you’re okay, Princess?”
The asshole was persistent, I’d give him that. Oblivious too. He either didn’t notice the way she flinched at the name or didn’t care.
“Yes. You just surprised me.” She forced a smile, waving him off. “I’ve been stressed about Dad. It’s been a lot. But I guess, since you’re here…we should probably talk.”
Her gaze flicked to me, uncertain.
“I’ll grab you some water.” It felt like something a boyfriend would do. And I could play the part.
I’d never really done it before—not long-term, anyway—but I knew how to show up when it mattered. Protecting her already felt instinctive. Being present. Reassuring her without making a production of it.
Those parts came easily.
What didn’t make sense was how thoroughly Jamie had gotten under my skin in such a short time. A handful of conversations. A few moments where we’d both let the cracks show. And suddenly I was carrying feelings I couldn’t name.
Maybe it was grief. Fallout from everything that had blown apart with Caleb. Maybe I was reaching for connection because I was tired of surviving this all on my own.
Maybe she was just a distraction.
Except she didn’t feel like one.
Water took all of thirty seconds to find. There was a neat line of glasses in the first cupboard I opened, and a pitcher of filtered water in the fridge. No effort required.
I hesitated anyway, took my time filling the glass, and listened to their voices carrying through the open doorway.
“Tell me what you need from me.” The arrogance was gone from Dylan’s voice, replaced by something that sounded like genuine concern.
For a moment, I wondered if I’d misjudged him. If maybe he was more than just a cocky prick.
“It’s a little late for that, don’t you think?” She sounded tired. Like this was a conversation they’d had before.
“It’s never too late, Jamie. I’m here. Right now, I’m here.”
