Back at the apartment that night, I couldn't sleep. My mind was a tangled mess, replaying everything over and over.
Evan picked up on my mood right away. "What's wrong?" he asked, worry creasing his brow. "Did my mom say something to upset you?"
"No," I said, shaking my head. "It's just… she was right."
"You, me, us—this journey's been brutal."
My past, the kind I could barely bring myself to talk about. His past, stalked by death at every turn.
It was all too much.
Even if pain could bloom into something beautiful, I'd rather we never had to endure it.
I threw my arms around Evan, my voice steady but fierce. "Evan, let's form a sacred bond."
He froze, caught off guard. "Whoa, where's this coming from?"
"I guess…" I paused, my heart spilling over. "I just want a home with you so b
