Caroline woke to snowlight and quiet. For a second, her body waited for noise—doors, voices, danger. Instead, she felt Thorne's arm around her waist and a sense of peace she didn't remember feeling before.
“Morning," he murmured over her shoulders.
Caroline didn't move. “How long have you been awake?"
“Long enough to know you're thinking."
“I'm checking if the silence is still friendly."
“It is," Thorne confirmed. “And you're safe."
Caroline turned to face him.
“I have a confession to make."
Thorne's gaze sharpened. “Go on."
“I've never snowboarded," she admitted. “I assume you're taking me to do that today, right?"
A pause.
Then Thorne's mouth tilted. “Yes, you assumed right. And that's a good thing."
“Is it?" Caroline frowned.
“This way, I can teach you. And you won't have
