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“Alexa, play Stand By Me by Ben E King,” Camila sing-songs.

“Now playing Stand By Me by Ben E King,” the robotic voice replies, filling the empty, echoey space.

Camila starts singing along to the song, dancing around as she collects bolts and screws for the new poles she had delivered. The afternoon sun shines through the open windows, airing out the fresh paint smell.

She’s happy.

We shopped for the perfect building together, and she even let me pay for it. She wanted to donate all the money she saved at DL to New Horizons as her one condition. My heart nearly burst out of my ribcage.

The night at the gala last year replays in my head. How she allowed me to lead the dance. That first bit of control she gave me. How her face lit up at the simple opening of the song.

A small smirk plays on my lips at the memory.

She hasn’t noticed me yet. Her hips sway to the beat, and she looks irresistible with her tiny shorts and sports bra. Obsidian emerges from an empty box, heading straight for a plant in the corner, hitting it with his paw. He spots me, immediately running over and rubbing himself on my legs, purring.

Her bright green eyes catch mine, and a wide smile graces her face. She stretches her arm out towards me, and I walk up to her, taking her hand in mine. I pull her in, spinning and matching her steps to the song as she softly hums the tune that once brought back all sombre memories. Her once sad eyes are now always filled with joy. And as I gaze at her, all I feel is safe.

Loved.

Finally at peace.

My head is quiet. It has been since Camila showed up in my life. When she told me she wanted forever with me when I was waking up from my operation, and she didn’t think I heard her.

Her eyes skim my shirt, and she tuts when she spots a single drop of blood but smirks all the same. “I hope that’s not yours.”

She follows my steps as I spin her around the room, her long, honey hair fanning out behind her with every twirl.

“Never again, Angel.”

We dance until the song finishes, and she runs over to one of the poles, spinning herself on it.

“Pretty stable, huh?” she asks, craning her neck upwards to admire her handy work.

“You really should’ve waited for me, sweetheart. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

“It’s not that high,” she dismisses, grabbing another pole from the floor and heaving it up. I jump in immediately, holding it steady for her.

She smiles. “Okay, maybe it is a little difficult.”

She rolls the stepladder to me, and I climb up, screwing a few bolts into the ceiling, securing the pole in place.

“Where’s Opal?”

Camila points to a box. I walk up to it, squatting down to see a small white kitten curled up inside the box with a plushy toy, sleeping.

My heart squeezes with cuteness.

“Adorable, isn’t she?” Camila whispers.

“Not as adorable as you.” I tackle her to the ground, lying on top of her as she chuckles, her hands gripping my shirt.

She smooths her hands over it, fiddling with my top button as her eyes rove over my exposed chest where the buttons are undone. She hums and continues undoing the rest of my buttons.

“There are people downstairs,” I murmur.

“When has that ever stopped you?” she taunts, reaching the bottom button.

I groan as her eyes darken, and she bites her lip.