I crawl toward him, brushing thick bangs from his eyes. “Hey,” I whisper.
He blinks a few times. Tries to find my face.
I can’t tell how much he sees, but it’s enough to have him pulling me into his arms and sprawling me across his chest as he exhales a long breath of relief.
Warmth. Heaven. Home.
Snuggling deeper, I bury my nose against his neck and hold him tight.
“Hey,” he says back.
I shiver when he inhales my scent, his chest heaving underneath me. “It’s after ten. You fell asleep early.”
“Mm.” He extends both legs, one winding between mine. “How bored were you?”
A smile flickers. “Not bored. I went through your kitchen trying to find something to cook. It was bleak.”
“That’s a word for it.”
“Have you been living off pantry staples for months?” I poke my head up, finding his eyes. “How are you getting groceries?”
He drags his fingers through my tangle of hair. “I stocked up when I got here. My parents drive in once a month with premade meals and frozen casseroles.”
“What was the next step going to be? Your long-term plan?” I wonder, tracing designs on his chest. “You can’t live like this forever. Alone. It’s not safe.”
“I don’t know,” he says. “I wasn’t expecting my vision to go this fast. Figured I’d be set for a while.”
“God, Chase…” I exhale deeply, pressing my temple to his collarbone. “Will you consider coming home with me? Letting me take care of you?”
I swallow, waiting, terrified of what he’ll say.
He stiffens. Goes silent for several beats. “I don’t want to be a burden, Annie.”
My cheeks heat. I prop myself up, staring down at him, wishing he could see the pleading in my eyes. “Stop saying that. I love you. I will literally do anything for you. Whatever it takes.”
His muscles draw tight as he holds back all the things he wants to say.
No.
I don’t want that for you.
You deserve to live a carefree life.
Before he second-guesses himself and spews words I refuse to hear, I roll off him and bring the covers up to his chin. “Go back to sleep,” I whisper. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”
He twists toward me, reaching for my face until he finds the lock of pale hair striped across my jaw. He tucks it behind my ear. “Promise?”
Leaning in, I kiss him on the cheek. “Maybe.”
A smile crests, lingering on his lips as he dozes back off.
He knows it’s a yes.
***
I spend the next afternoon in town, stocking up on clothes, groceries, and basic necessities, the volume on my phone turned all the way up in case Chase texts or calls.
An hour of my day is spent at a rustic boutique in Sevierville. It’s narrow and creaky-floored, nestled between a fudge store and a shop that exclusively sells black bear souvenirs. Inside, it smells like cedarwood and lavender. Wind chimes dangle from the ceiling, catching stray drafts, and every wall is lined with racks of clothes in every shade imaginable.
