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“What are we doing, though?”

Athena was probably more invested in the relationship than Monti was. She had to be, right? Which would mean at some point Monti was going to hurt her as she shifted the parameters of the relationship when she left.

That thought sent a physical pain through her chest. Monti frowned and stopped short, staring out at the dark waters. It was nearly pitch black out there, but the light from the moon and the stars gave enough that she could make out the different shapes.

Leaving was painful.

Since when?

Monti dragged her fingers through her tangled hair. Because she didn’t want to leave this time. Not like she had before. Something had shifted inside her, and she wanted to stay and see how Athena made out. She wanted to go to Zoe’s wedding and maybe be around when Fallon finally started dating someone. She wanted to know if Athena would ever take her jacket off in public again.

That last thought made her smile.

Damn, that woman was sexy. She hid it all, buttoning up and hiding with the hope that the world wouldn’t see her. But it was impossible not to see her. Monti warmed slightly as the sun started streaking across the sky. Monti had noticed Athena the moment they’d met, and she hadn’t been able to stop.

“Well, I’m definitely in like with her.” Monti told the ocean. “What do you think?” She kicked at the water, cold lingering on her feet as she stepped deeper into the surf. Bending down, Monti put her hands in the water as it raced up toward her. Then she dug her hands into the wet sand, grabbing hold of it.

As the water moved away, it took the sand with it, leaving only a small amount curved in her palm. In the center was a small white shell, the whorls spiraling up toward a point. Monti rinsed it off in the water as another wave came up and studied it.

“There you are!” Athena’s voice shocked through her.

Monti stood up, startled, her heart in her throat. She clutched the shell tightly in her fist.

“You scared me.” Worry marred Athena’s features.

Monti stepped closer and grabbed Athena’s hand with her free one. The sun was already over the horizon and making the sky bright. It painted gentle hues over Athena’s face, though the shadows of doubt were still there. “Sorry, I didn’t realize I’d been gone so long.”

“Long?” Athena moved in closer. “When did you leave?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t look at a clock.” Monti pressed a kiss to Athena’s cheek. “I’m sorry I worried you.”

“You left the deck door open.” Athena’s voice wavered, and Monti definitely noted the fear over the worry.

“You don’t like open doors.” Why had that thought never occurred to her before? Monti had to open every single door every time she’d walked into a room. Athena always closed the door behind her or them when they went somewhere. She really should have noticed that. “Athena, I’m so sorry.”

Monti wrapped her arms around Athena’s shoulders and pulled her in, hugging her and kissing her head. She breathed in Athena’s scent that was so familiar now. She closed her eyes and basked in it and in Athena’s steady breathing.

“I should have been more careful.”

“It’s okay. You’re safe,” Athena mumbled into Monti’s chest. She finally wrapped her arms around Monti’s back and held on tightly. “You can’t leave me like that.”

“I needed some space to think.”

Athena sighed heavily. “What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing.” Monti kept her tone calm. She pulled back and slid her hand down Athena’s cheek and her thumb over Athena’s lips. She leaned in and pressed their mouths together quickly.

“Please don’t coddle me.”

Monti’s heart sank. She had been doing exactly that. Athena had shared with her so much over the last few weeks. It was no wonder that she was looking for Monti to share as well. Kissing Athena again, this time lingering a little longer, Monti pulled back. She turned and started to walk toward the house.

“I had a nightmare.”

“Oh.” Athena gripped Monti’s arm tightly.

Intuitively, Monti knew that Athena would understand those. She’d already deduced that had partially been why Athena wasn’t sleeping. Monti laced their fingers together and dropped a kiss onto the back of Athena’s hand.

“Do you ever sleep more than a few hours in a night?” Monti asked.