Chapter 28
Calla
Haiyden brought me home hours ago, but for some reason, I can’t fall asleep without him next to me. I’m curled up on the couch in my living room, the TV murmuring in the background, its glow washing over the room.
I’m not really watching anything. My thoughts keep drifting back to my day with Haiyden—the way his expression softened when he looked at me, the quiet afternoon we spent on the couch, how comfortable it all felt.
My phone lights up on the coffee table, breaking through the stillness.
I pause before reaching for it, foolishly hoping it’s Haiyden.
And when I pick it up, my heart trips the way it always does.
Haiyden: Come to the bar tomorrow.
My lips twitch into a smile, and before I can overthink it, another message comes through.
Haiyden: I know it’s New Year’s, but come.
I don’ t waste a second.
Me: I’ll be there.
I set my phone down and roll onto my back, pulse quickening as I stare at the ceiling. I tell myself it’s just a text, a simple invitation—but the flutter in my chest says otherwise.