ARDEN
Cade didn’t say much as he took my hand and began leading me away from the school grounds.
“Where are we going?” I asked, my voice a whisper, careful not to shatter whatever fragile space we occupied.
“It’s far,” he murmured. “But I want you to meet her properly.”
Her.
Honey.
My heart thudded at the thought. I swallowed the sudden dryness in my throat and followed him in silence.
He opened the passenger door of his car and waited until I climbed in. The interior smelled faintly of cedar and his scent, which comforted me instantly.
He didn’t speak at first as he started the engine. Instead, he reached over and gently pressed my head back against the headrest, his palm lingering there.
“Rest,” he said quietly. “We have a long drive.”
I turned to him and said honestly, “Cade,
