“Maybe.” He shrugs. “Still pretty though.” I roll my eyes. “I’ll be fine. Promise.”
I search his eyes for a second longer before leaning up and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. He still tastes like him, and that notion alone settles my nerves.
Jasper hums low in his throat. “See?” he mumbles against my mouth. “All better already.”
I smile despite myself and take a step backward toward the guest house.
Or at least I try to.
Jasper’s hand tightens around mine, and I glance down at our joined fingers, then back up at him. “Where do you think you’re goin’?” he asks.
“To my house,” I answer simply. “I’ve got to go back eventually. I’m tired of lugging my stuff around like I’m visiting.”
Lawson straightens across the driveway. “No.”
I blink at him.
“No?” I repeat.
He walks over, boots crunching on gravel.
His tone isn’t harsh.
It’s firm.
Final.
“I don’t want you staying over there alone anymore.”
I cross my arms and raise a brow at him. “Excuse me?”
Beau exhales slowly, already sensing what’s coming.
Lawson doesn’t back down. “It’s not safe.”
“And this side of the driveway is magically protected?” I shoot back.
“It is with the four of us in the house with you.”
“You and I both know that—”
“Abigail.”
The way he says my name makes something inside me soften even though I’m tryingveryhard not to.
Because the truth is, all I want to do right now is walk up to him, wrap my arms around his waist, and tell him I love him.
The words sit heavy on my tongue.
I think about the woods.
About the way he said them like they were what he needed to breathe again.
Like all that mattered in that moment was me knowing how much he loves me.
I can still see it—the shine in his eyes when he looks at me. The vulnerability he tries so hard to hide from everyone else.
But no matter how much I want to say it, now isn’t the right time.
