“It felt… weird. With you here.”
His guilt was instant. “If I’d known, I would’ve waited downstairs, or something. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” My voice eased. “I’ll shower later.”
Garrett stretched, already bored. “Anyway. Nice meeting you, Damien.” Then to Candace. “I’m starving, let’s get out of here.”
Candace gathered her things. They drifted to the elevator.
“Let’s go to Brock’s,” Garrett suggested.
“I don’t want to walk tonight. Can we stay in?”
“Oh, come on—you’ll be safe with me.”
Silence. A sigh. Then the elevator doors closed.
Damien turned back to me, tension crackling under his calm. “I fucking hate that guy.”
I laughed. “Told you.”
“No seriously—is he like that all the time?”
“Always.”
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “What the hell does she see in him?”
“God knows,” I muttered.
He hesitated, shifting his weight. “I should probably head out. Let you shower.”
Something kicked in me—not forward, not back. Just… startled. Garrett had Candace and I had… nobody. Nobody except for Read, and he was standing right here in front of me.
“I don’t think I want you to leave,” I admitted, tearing myself wide. “Not yet.”
His brows lifted. “Really?”
“Honestly… I’m still freaked out. And I don’t want to be alone.” The truth spilled from me before I could reel it back.
“Okay. But under one condition.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You shower. I’ll wait in my car. Text me when you’re done.”
I shook my head. Too far. Too empty. Too alone.
“No, you can stay. But—” I pointed at him. “You stay on the couch. No wandering. No peeking.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He paused, and I watched the mischief surface, slow as honey. “Okay, that might be a lie. I might dream about it.”
Heat hit my cheeks. “Damien,” I reprimanded.
“Fine. No wandering. No peeking.” He planted a hand above his heart. “Scout’s honor.”
I couldn’t stop the grin this time as I moved toward my room. I stole a last look over my shoulder. He stayed exactly where he promised—hands lifted in exaggerated innocence, that crooked smile tugging at his mouth.
The door clicked shut. I leaned against it, pulse catching. My heart thudded too hard. Too hopeful. Too scared.
