It was all familiar. The feeling, the warmth, and the arms that were slowly untangling from her body. Her world went still, and a faint sound of a crashing car echoed from somewhere in the distance.
“Xander!” Gilbert’s shout reverberated inside the shop, shaking her from the haze she fell into. Erin’s breathing hitched; she couldn’t bring herself to look for the person behind her. Her whole body trembled.
“I love you, Erin. I should have told you sooner,” Xander murmured, voice weak yet full of emotion.
The canvases scattered on the floor with a loud thud as Erin turned around. Her hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide in shock. Xander stood just behind her, blood dripping steadily from his side and pooling at his feet.
“Xander!” she gasped.
He was holding his wound, trying to stop the bl
