ALLISON.

“River?” I called softly.

He jolted awake. He squinted his dark eyes against the light. He yawned and then focused on me, his expression shifting from confusion to a lazy smirk.

“Did you ditch them in the kitchen again?” I teased.

“I helped chop some onions before I bailed,” he replied, stretching.

I chuckled. “Why are you hiding out here?”

River’s attention shifted to Amaris, his fingers lightly brushing her hand.

“This is the most unboring ...