I don’t know what I expected from what little Theo’s told me about it, but I wasn’t expecting the sprawling complex of caravans, cabins and other buildings. Or the view of the murky blue water of the Bristol Channel to peek from between the buildings and trees. Or the sheer amount oflifehere.
People—so many people—wander from buildings, chatting and laughing while carrying out their tasks. Children scream and shout as they dart between the adults with pure, unfiltered joy on their chubby faces. Dogs bark as they chase after the children with wagging tails and tongues lolling out of the sides of their mouths. A cat lies sprawled in the sunshine on the decking of a caravan, completely content. In the distance are the snorts and whinnies of horses, the low mooing of cows, and the bleating of goats and sheep.
It’s almost overwhelming just how much activity there is. And unlike the night we spent at the Lodge, there’s no immediate warning signs that this is an unsafe place. It’s warm, inviting, and teeming with happiness and excitement.
“Holy shit,” I whisper as I stare, unable to do anything else. It’s like the apocalypse never touched this place, causing it to take after its namesake.
Haven.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Alex says as he moves to flank my other side and drapes an arm over my shoulders.
I nod, still dazed.
“I’m still blown away by how much it reminds me of life before the apocalypse. No death, no zombies, no bone-deep fear and wondering if you’re going to survive the night. Just safety and knowledge that you’regoing to have food, fresh water, and a safe, comfortable place to sleep.” While there’s wonder in his voice, there’s something else in there.
I tear my gaze away from the view of Haven sprawled in front of us to look up at him. While there’s still a sparkle of joy in his eyes, there’s also a sadness and longing that wasn’t there before as he lingers on a couple laughing as they cling to one another. And then it hits me. All the things he mentioned arethe bare minimumof what a human needs to survive, not thrive.
I reach over to his hand and thread my fingers through his. “But there’s also no love or pure joy,” I say softly as I squeeze his fingers. Sure, he has Rhys and Theo, but the love you experience from friends and family is different from the love from a partner.
I know that better than anyone.
His eyes flick to me, and the sadness dissipates as his lips curl upward into a soft smile, displaying those dimples I love so much. “Until now.” He leans down and kisses me gently, pouring every drop of emotion into it.
I kiss him back with the same intensity, my hand fisted into his jacket to pull him closer. That this man, who has been hurt so deeply by someone in the past, is willing to give me his heart fills me with a sense of awe and a sliver of doubt. But I shove that emotion to the side before it can take root. While I’m terrified of not being good enough, I make a silent promise to make myself worthy of his trust.
And when the time is right, hopefully his love, too.
“As much as I enjoy the sight of you two kissing, I also want a hot shower and clothes that aren’t soaked through and just this side of clean,” Theo says, his loud, amused voice cutting through my thoughts.
My eyes fly open and my cheeks burn as several Haven residents cast curious and confused glances over to us.
Alex pulls back with a huff of laughter and shakes his head at his best friend. “Why don’t you shout that a bit louder? I don’t think everyone in Haven quite heard it.”
Theo’s silver eyes gleam with mischief. “Oh really? Well—”
“If you ever want to see me naked again, I suggest you keep your mouth shut,” I say sharply, cutting him off before he can alert the entire community about our unorthodox relationship.
His mouth snaps shut, much to Alex’s amusement.
“I didn’t realise it’d be that easy to shut him up,” he says with a chuckle as he pulls me into his chest and presses a kiss to the top of my head. “You’ll have to remember that threat the next time he becomes annoying again.”
Theo makes an indignant noise. “I’mneverannoying.”
“I very much disagree,” Alex shoots back. “As someone who’s been your friend for over two decades, you’re probably one of the most annoying people I know.”
“Ollie,” Theo whines as he pouts at me. “Alex is being mean to me.”
I roll m eyes. “Consider it payback for ganging up on me earlier.”
“Earlier? What happened earlier?” Alex asks.
“We didn’t gang up on you.” Theo crosses his arms over his chest.“We were merely trying to open your eyes to what everyone and their mother can see.”
Alex arches an eyebrow. “And what was that?”
“That Rhys and Ollie are constantly eye-fucking one another and they need to throw this idea of being friends into the bin where it belongs and fuck already.”
I rub my forehead and smother a groan. “And like I told you before;we’re friendsand happy beingonlyfriends.” I look over at Alex, expecting him to nod and back me up.
