EMBER’S POV
The dirt was cool between my fingers, a little damp from last night’s rain. I pressed into it, trying to focus on the way the earth felt, the smell of rosemary and damp leaves. The sun hadn’t fully risen yet, just a soft glow creeping through the trees. Usually, mornings like this made me feel calm. Safe.
But not today.
I tugged at a weed near the basil, too hard, and the stem snapped in my hand.
“Careful,” a voice behind me said. Warm. Familiar. *His*.
“You’re going to make the poor plant cry.”
I didn’t turn around. “You should be at the office, Asher.” I said.
“I know, Kitten,” he said.
I stood up slowly, brushing my hands off on my apron. I didn’t want to look at him, but I did anyway.
He looked the same—tired, like he hadn’t slept, like maybe he’d been up thinkin
