Claire extends her arm and mumbles something.
I kneel by her side. “What is it?”
She tugs at my hand, scooting back in the bed and dragging me in with her.
“Are you sure? I’m like, almost naked.”
“Yep.” A smile spreads across her face and she peers through her heavy lids at me.
I climb in next to her and let her settle into the crook of my shoulder.
She nuzzles in close and sighs.
I wrap both arms around her and hold on tight. The warmth of her body settles into mine, and if anyone would have told me earlier that this is how my day would end, I never would have believed them.
I breathe her in and cherish every single second of this until sleep finally pulls me under.
* * *
Iwake to her still in my embrace. Only now, we’re on our sides, and her perfect backside is pressed into me. Our legs are intertwined, and she hugs my hand to her chest like she’s afraid I might disappear if she lets go.
I slowly pull it from her grasp and graze it along her waist while kissing her hair. “Morning.”
“Mmm.”
“Do you want me to make coffee or get it from Bram’s?”
She turns to face me, and my heart nearly stutters at seeing her beautiful face. She places her hand on my cheek and her gaze trails up to my brow and then to my lip. “Does that hurt?”
“Nah. It’s been worse.”
She frowns but leans forward, pressing her mouth gently on mine before pulling away.
I prop myself up on my elbow. “How are you feeling?”
“Bram’s sounds good.” She quickly changes the topic of conversation. “It’s early enough that the donuts are probably super fresh, too.”
“You sure you don’t want to talk about it?”
Claire shakes her head. “I kind of just want things to go back to normal, if that’s okay?” She sits up and crosses her legs. “I, uh, I don’t want you to treat me any differently like I’m this fragile thing. I’m okay. I know I was sort of in shock last night and being super needy, but I’ll be fine, really. You can even go to Bram’s without me, and I promise I won’t implode while you’re gone.”
I place my hand on her thigh and gently squeeze. “I think you’re much stronger than you let on, actually.” I’ve always known that about her, even if she doubts it herself.
Claire might have run into trouble with Griffin and let him take advantage of her, but that never made me question the strength she carries within.
She’s a force that cannot be contained or extinguished, especially not by some pathetic douche like Griffin.
She may not recognize her power, but I do, and I’ll be damned if I ever diminish that. There’s a fire that burns behind her eyes, waiting to come to life.
“Do you mind? If I stay here while you go?” She stares at me with those ocean eyes.
“Not at all. Do you need me to get anything from your place? Your school stuff?” I don’t want her to have to lift a finger if she doesn’t have to. It’s not about being fragile; it’s about taking care of someone who has never been taken care of in their life.
From this point forward, I’ll do everything in my power to be everything Griffin never was. I won’t be perfect, and I’m sure I’ll mess up, but Claire deserves someone willing to put forth the effort. To put her first.
“I’ll go, actually. Grab some stuff and meet you back here?”
“Yeah, that works.” I reach over and snatch my keys off the nightstand. I pull the little silver circle and slide my house key off. “Here.”