I bite back a sigh.
This is the part Ryder’s bad at. The part I’m better with.
“This isn’t about imposing,” I say. “It’s about control.”
Her chin lifts. “Whose?”
Oof.
“Safety,” I correct. “Yours.”
She crosses her arms.
“I’m not staying here indefinitely, Zane. I’m leaving town soon anyway. I don’t want people thinking I’m… involved.”
I step closer without meaning to, enough that she feels me there.
“People already think things,” I say quietly. “That’s small towns.”
She exhales sharply. “That’s exactly my point.”
There’s heat under this now. Awareness. The fact that we’re both too close and pretending that doesn’t matter.
“You really think Ryder’s going to let you go back there alone?”
Her lips press together. “I don’t need Ryder’s permission.”
“No,” I agree. “But you do need his reality.”
That gets me a look. A long one. Green eyes bright with frustration and curiosity.
“He doesn’t get to decide what happens to me.”
“I know,” I reply. “But he will decide what risks he’s willing to accept.”
“And you?” she asks softly. “What do you think?”
I hold her gaze.
“I think,” I say slowly, “that you can argue all you want about staying one night, but Ryder’s not going to let it slide. And Ithink if you try to walk back into that cabin tonight, he’ll lose his damn mind.”
She lets out a quiet, disbelieving laugh. “That’s not my problem.”
“It is if you’re the reason.”
Silence stretches.
“I don’t like feeling managed,” she says finally.
“I don’t like feeling helpless,” I answer.
That stops her.
Neither of us moves. The air between us hums, tight and warm, a wire pulled too far.
“Fine,” she says at last, all clipped and irritated. “I’ll get my things. But I’m staying one more night. That’s it. If there’s still a risk, I’ll just… leave.”
I nod, even though I know damn well that’s not how this ends.
