by Frankie Rose
THE SOFT whoomf of snow sliding from the roof wakes me. I’m tangled in Luke’s arms, and the gentle sounds of his breathing sends an alien jolt of happiness through me. I shouldn’t be happy. I should be stressed out and terrified. I’m back in Breakwater for crying out loud. I’m seeing my mother today, because Brandon is in jail. Okay, so maybe I am freaking out a little bit, but in this tiny second, with the silence of the outside world and Luke holding me so close—I really am happy. How is that even possible?
A tap at the door finally wakes Luke. My peaceful moment is gone the second he jumps out of his skin, but I’ve already stored it away, ready to call on it when I need a moment of sanity.
“You two awake in there?” Laney calls through the door. Luke makes a non-committal groaning noise. Apparently that means yes in the Reid household because Laney comes right on in. I nearly elbow Luke in the face trying to make sure I’m covered up.
“Jeez, mom! What the hell?” Luke yells.
I peer over the top of the comforter, grimacing when I see my bra and torn—torn!—underwear lying on the floor. Oh, dear God in Heaven, please let ground swallow me up now. Laney grins at us. She’s brandishing two cups of coffee.
“Well now, you two kept me up most of the night. I figured you might need something to give you a bit of energy this morning.”
Luke slumps back against the pillows, closing his eyes. “Just get out, mom.” Laney shrugs, still grinning. She starts to leave but he stops her. “Hey. Leave the coffee.”
She set the cups down and winks at me, then leaves. We can hear her laughing across the other side of the house.
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