~ Chapter 29 ~
Eva woke slowly.
Not the jolt-out-of-a-dream kind.
Not the alarm-blaring, heart-racing kind.
This was different.
Warm.
Heavy.
Safe.
Her first conscious thought wasn't a thought at all.
It was a feeling.
A broad, solid chest beneath her cheek.
A steady rise and fall under her palm.
A warm arm wrapped around her lower back like it had always belonged there.
Eva stilled.
Very carefully.
Her lashes fluttered open.
Reed was asleep.
Shirtless.
Hair messy in a way that made her stomach flip.
One arm behind his head.
The other curved around her waist.
She was half sprawled on top of him.
One thigh between his.
Her bare leg draped over his.
Her cheek pressed to his chest.
Her hand resting just below his collarbone.
For a moment, Eva forgot how to breathe.
Oh.
Oh.
This was real.
Not a dream.
Not a fantasy.
Not something she'd imagined.
She could feel him.
Really feel him.
The warmth of his skin.
The faint texture of hair beneath her fingertips.
The slow, deep rhythm of his breathing.
The subtle strength beneath relaxed muscle.
She shifted slightly.
Reed tightened his arm around her in his sleep.
Pulled her closer.
Like instinct.
Like muscle memory.
Like he wasn't ready to let her go even unconscious.
Eva's chest squeezed.
Something tender bloomed behind her ribs.
Not just desire.
Not just attraction.
Care.
A deep, aching want to take care of him.
To be gentle with him.
To belong here.
She lifted her head just enough to look at his face.
Relaxed.
Soft.
No guarded edges.
No quiet intensity.
Just... Reed.
The man who held doors for her.
Who asked before touching.
Who stopped himself even when it was hard.
Who looked at her like she was something precious instead of something temporary.
Eva swallowed.
She traced her finger lightly over his shoulder.
Over the faint scar she now knew the story behind.
Her throat tightened.
He shifted.
Brows knitting faintly.
Then his eyes opened.
Slow.
Sleepy.
Dark.
They focused on her.
For half a second he looked confused.
Then awareness hit.
A small smile tugged at his mouth.
"Well," he murmured. "Good morning."
Eva felt her face heat instantly.
"Hi."
Reed's hand slid up her back.
Not grabbing.
Not groping.
Just holding.
"Did you sleep okay?"
Eva nodded.
"Yeah. I think I passed out."
Reed huffed a quiet laugh.
"You were out in like thirty seconds."
She smiled shyly.
There was a soft pause.
The kind that wasn't awkward.
The kind that felt full.
Reed brushed his thumb along her spine.
"You good?"
Eva met his eyes.
"I'm... really good."
Something gentle crossed his face.
Relief.
Affection.
Something warmer.
Reed leaned up just enough to press a slow kiss to her forehead.
Then her cheek.
Then her lips.
Unhurried.
Unrushed.
Morning-soft.
Eva melted into him.
She became aware of other things then.
The way her body responded.
The way being this close made heat curl low in her stomach.
The way his skin against hers felt dangerous in a quiet way.
Not overwhelming.
Just... present.
She pulled back slightly.
"I... can I make breakfast?"
Reed blinked.
"You don't have to."
"I want to."
Simple.
Honest.
Reed studied her.
Then nodded.
"Okay."
Eva slid off him reluctantly.
She grabbed one of his T-shirts from the floor and tugged it on.
It swallowed her.
Reed watched her like he couldn't help it.
"You know," he said casually, "you look really good in my clothes."
Eva froze.
Peeked over her shoulder.
"Reed."
He smirked.
"Just stating facts."
Her cheeks burned.
She padded toward the kitchen.
Reed followed a minute later, pulling on sweatpants.
Eva started eggs.
Toast.
Cut fruit.
Nothing fancy.
Just warm.
Comfort.
Reed leaned against the counter watching her.
"You always take care of people like this?"
Eva shrugged.
"I don't know. I guess. It makes me happy."
Reed stepped closer.
Kissed the side of her head.
"Let me take care of you too."
Eva's throat tightened.
Before she could respond—
The front door opened.
Sandra's voice floated in.
"WHY DOES IT SMELL LIKE DOMESTIC BLISS—"
She froze in the doorway.
Parker froze behind her.
They took in:
Reed shirtless.
Eva in his T-shirt.
Cooking.
Sandra slowly smiled.
"Oh my god."
Parker covered her mouth.
"You stayed over."
Eva squeaked.
Sandra lunged forward and hugged her.
"I KNEW IT."
Reed rubbed the back of his neck, amused.
"Morning."
Sandra pointed at him.
"You hurt her and I will bury you."
Reed nodded seriously.
"Fair."
Eva groaned.
"I hate you both."
Parker smiled warmly.
"You look happy, Eva."
Eva hesitated.
Then nodded.
"I am."
Reed slipped his arm around her waist.
Pulled her gently into his side.
Casual.
Protective.
Natural.
Sandra squealed again.
"DISGUSTING. I LOVE IT."
Reed leaned down and murmured in Eva's ear:
"You're mine, yeah?"
Eva didn't hesitate.
"Yeah."
Reed smiled.
---
After Sandra and Parker finally retreated to their rooms—still whispering and giggling like they'd just witnessed something historic—Eva closed her door and climbed onto her bed, curling into her pillows with her phone in her hands.
Reed had left not long ago.
Not rushed.
Not awkward.
A slow hug.
A lingering kiss to her forehead.
A soft, "Text me when you're settled."
Her chest still felt warm from it.
Her phone buzzed.
Mom.
Eva smiled before answering.
She accepted the FaceTime call.
Her mother's face filled the screen, glasses perched low on her nose. Her dad leaned into view from the side, holding a mug. Bella appeared behind them almost immediately, and then Christopher's familiar grin popped into frame.
"Well," Bella said. "There she is."
Eva laughed softly. "Hi."
Her mom studied her for half a second.
Then smiled.
That gentle, knowing smile.
"You look happy, bubbles."
Eva swallowed.
"I am."
Christopher smirked. "Is Reed there?"
Eva's cheeks heated.
"No, he just left."
Bella perked up. "The tall quiet one from coffee?"
Eva nodded.
Her dad raised an eyebrow. "So it's serious."
Eva took a breath.
"I think... yeah. I really like him."
Her mom's eyes softened instantly.
"Tell us about him."
Eva tucked her legs under herself.
"He's kind. He's patient. He listens when I talk. He doesn't rush me. He makes me feel safe."
Bella smiled.
"That's a good man."
Christopher nodded. "Does he treat you right?"
"Yes," Eva said immediately.
Her dad leaned closer.
"Does he respect you?"
Eva didn't hesitate.
"Always."
Her mom reached toward the screen like she could touch Eva through it.
"That's all we ever want for you."
Eva's eyes burned slightly.
Bella grinned. "Also... he's very cute."
Eva groaned.
Christopher laughed. "I knew it."
Her mom smiled warmly.
"When you're ready, bring him home."
Eva's heart fluttered.
"I want to."
They talked a little longer about classes, Bella's clinical rotations, Christopher's residency stress, her mom asking if Eva was eating properly.
When the call ended, Eva lay back against her pillows, staring at the ceiling with a small smile.
She hadn't said "boyfriend."
But she hadn't needed to.
Everyone already knew.
---
Reed stood in the kitchen of his apartment, phone in hand, staring at Eva's name on his lock screen for a second longer than necessary.
He shook it off and called Nonna.
Her face appeared almost immediately.
Silver hair pulled back.
Warm eyes.
Behind her, his grandfather sat in his recliner, and his dad stood near the doorway. Matteo slid dramatically into frame.
"You're smiling," Matteo accused.
Reed sighed. "Hi to you too."
Nonna squinted.
"Why do you look like this?"
"Like what?"
"Like you're in love."
Reed froze.
His dad raised his eyebrows.
Matteo's mouth dropped open.
Reed exhaled slowly.
"I met someone."
Nonna clasped her hands.
"Tell me."
"Her name is Eva," Reed said. "She's... gentle. She takes care of people without making it a big deal. She makes me feel calm."
His grandfather nodded.
"That is not common."
Reed nodded once.
"I'm serious about her."
His dad studied his face.
"You don't say things like that lightly."
"I know."
Nonna smiled.
"When will we meet her?"
Reed didn't even think.
"Soon."
Matteo grinned. "Does she know you're annoying?"
Reed smirked. "Unfortunately."
Nonna waved him closer to the screen.
"Bring her for dinner. I will cook."
Reed's chest tightened.
"I'd like that."
He ended the call feeling steady.
Grounded.
Certain.