The sun is beginning its slow descent, washing the sky in streaks of warm gold and soft pink. The salty breeze brushes against my skin as I walk back toward our makeshift shelter, a small pile of gathered fruits tucked against my side. The day has passed in a blur of forced distractions—checking our food supply, making sure our firewood is stocked, anything to keep my hands busy. Anything to avoid him.
Jasper.
I have managed to stay away from him all day, making up excuse after excuse, but it hasn't mattered at all. Because even when he is not there, he is everywhere. In the way my skin still tingles from last night’s kiss, in the echo of his deep voice teasing me, in the smug little smirk that has burned itself into my mind.
And worst of all—
He is in my thoughts. Constantly.
