He rose from the bed and moved closer, settling beside me on the edge. His lips brushed softly against my bare shoulder, warm and lingering.
“I just want to be happy tonight,” he whispered, his voice low and vulnerable.
I turned to look at him, my heart tightening in my chest. For a moment, I let my gaze trace the familiar lines of his face—the same eyes that always pulled me in, the same quiet longing that reminded me so much of Mike. I cupped his cheek gently with my palm, my thumb stroking his skin.
“Come back to me when you finally turn eighteen, okay?” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
I leaned in and kissed him—slow, deep, and full of everything I couldn’t say. His lips were warm and eager, pressing against mine with a hunger that made my resolve waver. For those fe
