Ethan arrived at the door with Lily resting peacefully in his arms, her head leaning on his chest with her arms around his neck.
As he knocked, the soft sound startled her, and her eyes fluttered open.
She blinked up at him, disoriented for a moment before looking away with a slight blush.
It was the closest she’d been to him in years, and while the warmth was comforting, she didn’t want to seem clingy.
She shifted slightly, trying to push herself down, but winced as she remembered the pain in her legs.
Seeing her attempt, Ethan’s arms held her just a bit tighter. “Take it easy,” he murmured with a gentle smile.
Reluctantly, Lily relaxed back into his arms.
She could still feel the surprise from earlier. The image of him defending her against her family flashed in her mind.
He’d
