The next morning, Lauren woke wrapped around Wyatt, her leg thrown over his hip, her face pressed against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, steady and strong, and for a moment she just lay there, listening to it, trying to memorize the sound.

Because if this plan went sideways, she might never hear it again.

"Stop thinking so loud," Wyatt murmured, his hand sliding up her spine. "I can feel your brain working overtime, and it's giving me a headache."

"Can't help it." She tilted her ...