“Please take care of her on this trip. I don’t want anything to happen to her. She’s like an older sister to me,” he whispers toward the end. “I don’t want to lose her. She doesn’t care if she dies since she doesn’t have any family left, but I wouldn’t be able to survive without her.”
“Like a sister?” My eyebrows bunch up. “You don’t like her?”
Aiden chuckles. “Oh no. Neither of us could ever like each other. She’s like an older sister to me, and she treats me like a younger, annoying brother. It’s been this way our whole lives and nothing has changed. We both agreed that it would feel weird and be too awkward if we liked each other.”
I hum in response, my mind occupied.
He doesn’t like her like that.
Perfect.
“Tobias?” he calls my name. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m claiming her,” I say before I can stop myself.
“Wh-what?” he stutters out. “What did you just say?”
“I’m claiming her. She’s going to be mine. I’ll take care of her and look after her.”
There is no going back now. Not when he’s already heard what I’ve said. I didn’t plan on confessing that until much later and when we had gotten to know each other more. But ever since the first time I saw her, I knew she was mine and there would be no one else in my life.
“Are you sure?” Aiden asks. “You don’t even know her. What if she tells you no?”
“Didn’t think about that.” I shrug. “She won’t say no to me though. The fact that she already trusts me and is falling asleep in the car means something. I’m going to go for it whether you like it or not.”
“I won’t stop you. I actually think that both of you will be perfect for each other, but if she says no and you don’t respect her wishes, then we will have problems. We might be great friends, but she will always come first,” he threatens.
“And I agree with you. If I don’t respect her wishes, then I want you to step in. I never want to make her feel uncomfortable,” I reply.
“Good. I’m glad we are on the same page. I’ve got to go now, but text me when you get to the hotel,” he says before hanging up.
I give her one small glance before relaxing in my seat and focusing on the road.
“Mila,”I gently call her name. “We’re here.”
But she doesn’t move. Worry fills me. I quickly place my finger under her nose, my body tense as I wait to feel her breathing.
“Come on,” I whisper, then relax.
She’s breathing.
“Mila.” I place my hand on her shoulder. “It’s time to wake up for a couple of minutes to get to the hotel room. Can you wake up for me?”
“No,” she groans, keeping her eyes shut.
“Come on, sweet girl. I need you to wake up for me.”
“Carry,” she mumbles.
Sighing, I get out of the car and walk over to her side. Will she regret this in the morning?
“I’m here,” I whisper as I unbuckle her. “You’re okay.”
Carefully, I pick her up, and she immediately wraps her legs around my waist, burying her face in my neck. My arms rest underneath her bottom as I shut the door with my leg and walk into the hotel.
“I need—” I stop myself.
One or two rooms? I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable with only one room, but I also don’t want her to wake up and feel like she has been abandoned in a room if she doesn’t remember any of this.
