"You're wearing gray sweatpants. That's basically cheating."
"Cheating how?"
"Never mind." I climb into bed, patting the space beside me. "Come on. I'm tired."
He slides in beside me, and immediately I curl into him, seeking his warmth.
"Comfortable?" he asks.
"Very. Is this okay? I'm kind of a cuddler."
"It's more than okay. I like knowing you feel safe enough to get close." His arm comes around me. "Sleep, sweetheart. I've got you."
I'm drifting off when he speaks again.
"Chloe?"
"Mm?"
"Thank you for letting me in and for showing me the real you. It means everything to me."
"Thank you for not running away screaming into the night."
"Never. You're stuck with me now."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
I fall asleep with Tyler's heartbeat steady under my ear and Mr. Snuggles tucked between us.
CHAPTER 6
Iwake to the smell of coffee and something sweet.
For a moment, I'm disoriented. Then I remember, Tyler stayed over.
I pad out to the kitchen to find him making pancakes, Mochi weaving between his ankles.
"Morning," I say, my voice still rough with sleep.
He turns, and his smile is devastating. "Morning, beautiful. Sleep well?"
"Amazing. You?"
"Best sleep I've had in months." He flips a pancake. "I made coffee. And I found your pancake mix. Hope you don't mind."
"Mind? You made me breakfast. I'm basically in love with you already."
The words slip out before I can stop them.
Tyler freezes.
Oh God. Did I just say that out loud? After knowing him for barely a week?
"Chloe—"
"I'm sorry. That was too much. Too fast. I didn't mean?—"
