Caden’s POV
Baylee’s curled up in my arms again, warm and steady against my chest. It’s been fifteen hours, and I swear I still don’t know how we survived it. Her breathing is soft now, no more shaking, no more crying. Just stillness. Peace. Sleep.
I kiss her temple again, needing to feel her, needing to remind myself she’s real and here and alive. The girl who burned through the worst heat we’ve ever seen and still clung to me like I was her safe place. f**k, she is the strongest person I know.
Footsteps hit the sand behind me. I don’t look—I already know it’s May. I can feel her before she speaks.
She sinks down onto the towel beside us, legs folded up to her chest, oversized hoodie swallowing her frame. Her eyes are glued to Baylee.
“She’s okay?” her voice is rough. Worried.
I nod
