Even if only in my head.
Even if this is the only way I ever get to have it.
A knock at my window.
I go still.
My heart stops.
Then starts again.
Too fast.
Cassian.
Of course.
I push myself up, adjust, run a hand through my hair like that’ll make me look like someone who wasn’t just —
“Sup,” I say, trying for casual.
The picture of composure.
A man completely in control of himself.
“Move over, weirdo.”
He climbs in like nothing’s changed.
Drops onto my bed, stretching out like he owns it.
Like he always has.
Like it’s his.
Like I am.
“You’ll never guess what happened today,” he says.
Something in my chest tightens.
I already don’t want to hear it.
“Abby kissed me.”
There it is.
I swallow.
Force a smile.
“Wow. That’s… great.”
He grins.
And just like that he’s off — replaying it in detail, like it was the best thing that’s ever happened to him.
I nod along.
