"Too long," he said simply.
"I know."She laughed softly, the sound muffled as she tucked herself closer.
His hand slid into her hair, his fingertips tracing the back of her neck in slow, soothing circles.She felt her whole body relax, sinking deeper into the couch, into him.This was her favorite part of the day.The rush to come home and then be met with the quiet, the closeness, and Finn holding her.
He squeezed gently, then lifted their joined hands to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles.For the rest of her life, she would crave the feel of his hand holding hers.
That strength.That bond.That promise was what got them out of Everstill alive.
He never let go of her.He never abandoned her.He stayed and fought and won.
A new silver bracelet circled his wrist.The old thread bracelet never made it through the veil.The loss upset Finn more than he cared to admit.She bought him another bracelet, one he wouldn't have to worry about losing, breaking, or wearing out.
She touched her necklace.That day, she'd also bought a locket that held Finn's hair, the hair she'd snipped so many years ago.
"I thought about you all day," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Finn's gaze softened."Yeah?"
"You know I do."She brushed her thumb over the back of his hand."I bought ice cream."
His lips curved."Want to skip dinner and go straight to dessert?"
"Absolutely."She grinned.
According to Finn, Everstill never had ice cream.There weren't any in the store or the restaurant.But when she brought a carton home from work to share with him, he remembered having the treat as a child, and it sparked a core memory.
A childhood that had begun to return in small doses.An abusive dad.A brother killed in a street war.Refuge came in the form of joining a motorcycle club.
She was thankful the memories came slowly.What he'd shared was not easy to accept.She hated that he had to relive his past.
If there was one good thing about Everstill, it was that the place protected him from the hurt he'd endured.
Not that he hadn't done his share of hurting others.He'd killed a man and served time for the crime.He never made excuses for the choices he'd made.
When she thought about it, it seemed like another lifetime.With her, he'd always been her protector.
Kallie lifted her hand to his cheek."Tell me what you've done today while I dish up the ice cream," she whispered.
Finn's eyes darkened."Kiss me first."
She curled her fingers into his shirt and pulled herself in, brushing her lips against his mouth.He cupped the back of her neck and teased her lips open.She sighed the moment his tongue caressed hers.
When they pulled apart, she rested her forehead against his, breathing him in.This was her life now.
"I'll get the ice cream."She kissed him once more.
She washed her hands and scooped vanilla ice cream into two bowls, humming under her breath as she worked.The apartment was quiet.The soft glow of the kitchen light cast a cozy halo over the counter.The evenings were her favorite time of day, when she could relax and her worries fled.
She drizzled chocolate syrup over the top, smiling to herself as she added more to Finn's bowl."So, what did you do today?"
"I used the laptop."
She froze mid-pour, syrup pooling in one spot.She turned slowly, eyebrows raised."Yeah?"
He nodded from the couch, his expression unreadable."Yeah."
That surprised her.She'd shown him how to do simple online searches—how to look up recipes, check the weather, and find funny videos—but he'd never shown much interest.
