*Lucas*
I watch Ashley as she finishes her tea, the steam rising and curling into the air like the tension that still lingers between us. She sets her cup down, her eyes searching mine, and I can see the fatigue etched on her face. “I think I’m going to head to bed,” she says, her voice quiet but firm. “See if I can get some sleep.”
I take her hands in mine, feeling the warmth radiate between us. “Thank you for trusting me, Ashley,” I say softly, looking into her eyes. I lean down and kiss her hands, one at a time, lingering on the softness of her skin. It’s a small gesture, but I hope it conveys how much I mean it.
She smiles, a hint of color returning to her cheeks. “I’ll see you in the morning,” she replies, and with that, she slips away, her footsteps soft against the floor.
As the
