GABRIELLE’S POV
Damon held my hands even after I stood up and even as we walked through his garden.
It was unusual but I had to act normal even though my insides were a mush of nerves.
We walked in silence through the huge garden, the sounds of crickets and frogs filling the space between us. The night air was cool against my skin and his hand was warm, almost grounding.
He didn’t look at me, not directly, but his thumb brushed my knuckles every minute like he was checking if I was still there.
Or maybe he didn’t even realize he was doing it.
The thought made my chest tighten.
I kept waiting for him to let go, to step back into his usual cold, distant Damon but he didn’t. He kept holding me like it was the most natural thing in the world.
We reached the small stone path that led
