“No.”
His fingers move through my hair once more, but the motion is clumsy now. Sleepy.
I turn my face slightly into his thigh to hide my smile. “Okay.”
A few minutes later, his hand slips from my hair. His breathing evens. His head tips against the back of the couch.
And he falls asleep.
I don’t move at first.
Then I grab the blanket from the back of the couch and pull it over him before curling against his side.
His warmth surrounds me.
His breathing steadies me.
For the first time in years, I don't feel like I'm chasing him.
I just... get to be here.
His hand slips against my waist in his sleep.
My breath catches.
He never wakes.
A smile curves my lips.
Even sleeping, some part of him reached for me.
A smile curls my lips.
I’m dreaming with my eyes wide open.
25
DREW
I wake slowly.
Something warm is pressed against my chest.
Warm, steady breaths flow across my neck.
My eyes pop open.
Violet.
She’s curled into me, one arm tucked between us, her face turned slightly toward my shoulder like she belongs there.
Something in my chest tightens, soft and dangerous.
If I let this last one more second... I won't be able to pretend it doesn't mean something.
I freeze.
I don’t want to wake her, but I don’t want this to stop.
