42. Chapter 42
Lydia
My eyes flutter open, and it takes me a moment to remember where I am. There’s something warm and solid at my back. Then I remember. I’m in Nick’s bed.
The events of yesterday surface slowly, like memories rising through water. I brace myself, waiting for the panic to follow. It doesn’t. I know the outside world is still there. I know there will be hard things to face soon enough. But it can all wait.
Right now, I’m content to stay exactly where I am, cocooned against Nick’s strong body, wrapped in a sense of safety so complete that it almost feels unreal, like nothing bad can reach me here. No monsters can get me.
I roll carefully, slow enough not to wake Nick, and tuck myself back into the crook of his arm, facing him. His face is relaxed in sleep, familiar and impossibly handsome. I trace a finger along his jaw, rough with a couple of days’ worth of stubble.
We’ve woken up like this a handful of times already, but this morning feels different. Last night changed something, from the way he took care of me to the fact he didn’t ask for anything in return.
I’ve looked at him with adoration before, but now it feels deeper. Stronger. I swallow softly as the realization settles in with quiet certainty.
I’m falling in love.