Reid gave me a long, tight hug, as we sat there on the kitchen floor, with me straddling his lap. Cujo backed up and gave us space, but he stayed near. I breathed in Reid’s familiar scent, as I had countless times before, but this time, the calming affect it had on me was marred with discordant notes of bitter sadness.
I hugged him even tighter, and I let out a slow, shaky breath as tears clouded my vision again.
He chuckled, and he stroked my hair. “I’m not dead yet, Nat,” he murmured.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of his words, and a few tears escaped my eyes. “That doesn’t help at all, asshole.”
I pulled away to grab his face and kiss him. I leaned my forehead against his.
“I’m sorry, Natalie,” he said softly, and I believed him.
“You should be.” I kissed him again.
