The first rays of dawn slipped through the frosted windowpanes, painting the apartment in soft gold. Holly stirred, her cheek pressed against the steady rise and fall of Lee’s chest. He hadn’t moved all night, his arms wrapped around her as if he could shield her from the world.
She tilted her head, studying him in the hush of morning. His jaw was relaxed now, the tension from last night gone. A faint smile lingered at the corner of his mouth, as though even in sleep he was whispering those gentle words again—promises that she wasn’t alone, that she was his, no matter what the town said.
Holly’s heart ached with both gratitude and fear. She wanted this—wanted him. Wanted the warmth of waking in his arms, the certainty of his voice steadying her when everything else felt fragile. But real
