't sleep

t soothe-but because she'd felt something deeper. Dangerous. A pull that had nothi

't afford

d buried so much of he

d and sitting at the edge of the g

he asked, hair a m

ed is too soft. Feels like

"I know th

ddressed Lucas as Mr. Thorne but barely acknowledg

coffee, Lucas asked, "

Thought you weren'

t I don't want the res

something about the golden light, the warmth of his gaze

le sister and a mountain of hospital debt. I dropped out of school. Took whatev

d forward,

n. He was older. Smart. Made me feel seen when I was invis

n the bruises. Sh

. Changed our names. St

oment. Then he reached acros

er than anyone

tightened. S

ut I am cracked in places

u," he said softly. "I

Something between

abruptly. "

way before Lucas followed her, c

it happen

nd shut out everything she didn't want to feel. His hands gripped her waist,

nraveling. She let him-bec

his?" he whispere

as a breathles

make it to

wollen, her fingers tangled in his hair-Za

of herself she'd