But it didn’t go away.
I could’ve told him.
Could’ve asked him to handle it.
He would’ve.
Iknewhe would’ve.
But that wasn’t what I wanted.
Not this time.
So instead, I found myself back in the kitchen with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate. My fingers rolled the small baggie between them, expression distant as I stared down into the dark liquid.
It had worked before. It would be fine. I was sure of it.
From the couch, Wes’s voice carried over. “Babydoll, can you bring me a glass of water too?”
“Sure,” I called back, glancing over my shoulder at him, at the way he looked stretched out and comfortable, completely at ease.
Completely unaware.
I turned back before he could catch anything in my expression, and opened the baggie, stirring it into his mug until it disappeared.
For a split second, that same flicker of discomfort from last time turned my stomach.
“It’s fine,” I murmured under my breath. “Just one more time.”
I poured him a glass of water like he’d asked, and juggled the three cups in my arms as I headed back to him.
Wes took the mug and water with an easy smile, putting the water on the side table before reaching for me with his free hand as I settled back in beside him. “Thank you, doll.”
We talked a little—nothing important. Something about tomorrow’s plans, maybe trying the mountain bar if the weather held. I answered where I needed to, kept my tone light, and my body relaxed.
All the while, I watched and waited.
It didn’t take long before his voice started to slow, words stretching slightly at the edges. His hand grew heavier where it rested against me, the motion of his thumb stuttering before stopping completely.
“Just gonna take a quick nap,” he mumbled sleepily. He pulled me a little closer, pressing a lazy kiss into my hair. “Love you.”
“I love you too,” I said softly.
A minute passed.
Then another.
Once I was sure he was asleep, I carefully slipped out of his hold and got dressed.
Then I left.
This time, I didn’t go to the same town.
I wasn’t stupid.
Even places like that noticed patterns eventually—familiar faces, repeated incidents. It wasn’t worth the risk.
So I walked in a different direction.
