Jadon wakes slowly, feeling safe as the warm sunlight filters through the curtains, painting gentle gold across the room. She blinks, stretching slightly and that’s when she realizes she’s still wrapped in Evan’s arms.

His chest rises and falls beneath her cheek, steady and grounding. One of his hands rests at her waist, fingers curled lightly as if he’d been holding her even in his sleep.

She just lies there, listening to his heartbeat. It’s… peaceful. Evan stirs, his breath ...