Ava’s POV
The gentle hum of the Jeep lulled me to sleep before we even left the trail. Wrapped in the oversized hoodie Liam had tugged over my head and warmed by the soft heat of the seats, my body gave in—exhausted and sore in a way I couldn’t quite put into words. My last memory before sleep took me was Liam’s hand on the wheel, the other resting lightly on my thigh, thumb drawing lazy circles.
When I woke, we were home.
Dim light pooled into the room from the hallway, and the soft sound of drawers opening and closing told me Liam was still up. I shifted under the covers, not fully ready to move just yet. My limbs were heavy, my thoughts still tangled in the stars and the fireflies… and Liam.
His voice broke the silence, low and uncertain. “Did I… go too hard on you?”
My breath caug
