Page 46 of Death, Interrupted

“Thank you,” I said finally. “That means more than you know.”

She squeezed her knees, looking so small under the blanket, and I felt the impulse to reach for her again. But I stopped myself and kept my hands on my knees.

I leaned back into the couch and stretched my legs out, feeling the weight of the day settle into my muscles. It was late, but I still wasn’t ready to leave. Not yet. I told myself it was her call. If she felt strong enough to be alone tonight, I’d go. If she didn’t, I’d stay.

“Sly?”

My head turned immediately at the sound of her voice. “Yeah, baby?”

Her cheeks flushed pink the second the word left my mouth. For a second, I almost regretted calling her that until I saw the way her lips curved slightly, like she hadn’t expected it but liked it.

The nickname threw her off. She stumbled over her words, rubbing her palms over her shins.

Fucking adorable.

“I, um…it’s late,” she said finally, eyes darting toward our phones on the coffee table before coming back to me. “Do you maybe want to stay the night?”

Yes.

Fuck yes.

A thousand times, yes.

Inside, my chest jumped with excitement like a kid. Outside, I forced myself to stay calm, to act like this wasn’t everything I wanted. I cleared my throat and tried to stay casual. “Sure. Whatever.”

Shit. No, you idiot!

“Whatever?” Her brows arched slightly, testing me.

“No—” I sat up straighter, eyes wide. “I mean, yes. Yes, I’d love to stay.” The words tumbled out. “I don’t even know why I act like a fucking idiot when you ask me things like that. Of course, I want to stay. It means a lot.”

Her laugh was soft but warm. She wasn’t judging me or taking this the wrong way. “You’re not an idiot,” she said, her voice teasing but kind. “You’re nervous.” She tilted her head. “I make you nervous.”

I let out a dry, short laugh and looked down at my hands, suddenly unable to meet her eyes even though hers were all I ever wanted to look at. She wasn’t wrong. She made me nervous in a way nobody else ever did, and I hadn’t figured out how to hide it.

“Yeah,” I admitted finally, forcing myself to meet her gaze. “You do make me nervous.”

The softness in her eyes when I said it loosened something tight in my chest. “But it’s a good kind of nervous.”

She smiled at that. “It’s the same for me,” she said quietly. “I think…I’m ready for a hug now.”

I moved carefully, not so fast it would startle her, but not so slow it would make her second-guess herself. I shifted closer, body angled toward hers, and opened my arms.

She dropped her legs from the couch, uncurling herself, and leaned in. Her arms came up around my neck as she settled against me. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer until she was tucked against me. I held her there, letting her feel my weight without pressure.

Her body was warm against mine, and once she settled, she didn’t pull away. I felt her breath against the side of my neck, and her hands fisted in my sweater again, like she was holding on to me for safety. I kept my arms around her, gently rubbing her back, but not moving more than I had to. I didn’t rush her, and the longer we stayed like that, the more I felt her relax in my arms.

Her shoulders eased, and her breathing sloweduntil it fell into rhythm with mine. Every now and then, she adjusted her grip around my neck, like she wanted to make sure I was still there. Each time she did, I pulled her in a little closer to remind her I wasn’t going anywhere.

The quiet in the room grew heavier, but not in a bad way. It wasn’t awkward or forced. It was just what she needed, and, deep down, what I needed too. I didn’t even notice the time anymore, but if it were up to me, we’d stay like this forever.

When she finally sighed against me, the tension in her body gave way. Her head tilted slightly, and I could feel the weight of her starting to lean on me more fully. I didn’t move, didn’t say anything. I just adjusted so she could be comfortable.

“I don’t want to let go yet,” she murmured, her voice so low I almost missed it.

“You don’t have to,” I said, keeping my voice quiet too.

That was enough. She didn’t answer again, and I didn’t expect her to. The silence stretched on, her breathing growing slower and heavier, until I realized she was falling asleep.