Page 123 of His to Burn

“You full?” she asked.

“Or something approximating it,” I responded as I sat down.

She chuckled, her husky laugh soothing me in a way it shouldn’t have been able to. “I never thought I’d have a hierarchy of gas station fare, but those Vienna sausages are still definitely the most disgusting thing ever created,” she said.

“Haven’t you learned by now,” I said. “You don’t gotta like it…”

“I just gotta eat it.” She finished with a roll of her eyes.

That got a laugh out of Lourdes. EvenBridget cracked a smile. Asia looked up, surprised, and I saw her shoulders relax.

“Think I’ve got something to brighten your day.” I reached for my bag.

“Oh really? That’s big talk these days, Jackson.” She sounded serious, but her face was covered with a brilliant smile.

I reached into my bag, slow and deliberate enough that Asia huffed in frustration.

Then, finally, I pulled it out.

Asia stared, gaping, before she gasped. “Oh my God!”

Everyone looked over.

“Are those socks?” Bridget asked.

I didn’t take my eyes off Asia. “Yes they are. Socks. Clean socks. Six pairs. Still in the package.”

Asia snatched the bag from my hands and clutched them to her chest. She squeezed the bag and closed her eyes, the smile bright on her face. “I love you, Jackson Thorne.”

I didn’t say anything.

I couldn’t.

I just watched Asia tear open the bag. She paused for a moment and then looked at theothers. “There’s a pair for everybody. Except Jack.” She smiled.

Lourdes spoke up first. “That’s all you, Asia.”

The others nodded and stared at the socks and then she looked at me, her gratitude gleaming in her eyes before she looked at Lourdes and laughed. When I heard her laugh, something inside me twisted at the glimpse of a life I’d never have.

I wanted to kiss her.

I moved away instead.

A few hours later after everyone settled in, Asia sat next to me. Close but not touching, though I felt her heat.

“I’ve been thinking,” she said after a few minutes.

“Dangerous habit.”

“I’m scared shitless,” she said quietly.

“I’d be worried if you weren’t.”

She laughed. Bitter and beautiful.

And so fucking brave, it humbled me.

This woman still managed to awe me every single day, and I silently promised that I would do whatever it took to keep her safe.