Scarlett’s POV
His eyes flutter open, bleary, half-drugged from the pain.
He sees me and exhales like it’s the first time his lungs have worked all month.
“I thought I lost you again.”
“You almost did,” I say softly.
“I’m sorry,” he croaks. “For everything. I swear I didn’t touch her after the kiss. I didn’t even…Cassie just showed up and…”
“I believe you.”
He freezes.
I repeat it, slower this time.
“I believe you.”
The look on his face is pure disbelief. His throat works like he’s trying to swallow emotion that won’t go down.
“I don’t deserve that,” he says.
“No,” I murmur. “But maybe I don’t deserve everything you’ve done for me, either.”
We sit there a long time in the dark.
His hand slides toward mine. Just barely touches it.
I don’t move.
I don’t pull away.
But I don’
