“Thanks.”
Jake stood and headed toward the bunks. Claire’s curtain was pulled shut, but he suspected she was still awake. He sat down on the ground outside of his bunk and leaned his back against it. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath slowly.
Life felt chaotic, even though Will had attempted to get them more free time. Jake didn’t know if that was necessarily a good thing. All it did was leave him more time to think.
“Jake?” Claire whispered. “What are you doing?”
Jake’s eyes popped open to find Claire’s bunk curtain pulled back and her peering at him. Her hair was in a messy topknot, and a hint of a pink tank top peeked out of the covers.
“Just want to keep you company if you’d like it.”
A soft, tired smile touched her lips. “You look like you could use some sleep like me.”
He shrugged. “I’m okay.”
She watched him for only a moment before telling him to pull his bunk curtains closed. He furrowed his eyebrows before doing as she said and looked back at her. She scooted back into her bunk further and motioned for him to join her.
He didn’t hesitate for even a second before he crawled into her bunk. It was snug since they weren’t designed for twopeople, but it was doable. He struggled to pull the curtains shut behind him, and Claire giggled when he swore under his breath.
Finally, they were engulfed in darkness. It only took a moment for his eyes to adjust. Claire smiled up at him.
“I hope this won’t make things uncomfortable between us,” she said.
“Not at all.” He wrapped his arms around her and tugged her into his chest. “Is this hurting you at all?”
She shook her head. “My ribs haven’t been bothering me much lately. I think they may have only been bruised.”
He sighed into her hair and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. His entire body relaxed at the feel of her in his arms. It felt so right. He didn’t want to risk ruining this moment, but he couldn’t help it.
“I don’t know that anyone will think I’m actually in my bunk,” he whispered.
Through a yawn, she replied, “I don’t care.”
And he didn’t either.
Claire’s body relaxed, and her breathing deepened. She was fast asleep in his arms, and it only took a moment before he was asleep as well.
13
Claire woke up to a commotion in the bunk area. The gentle lull of the bus moving on the road had ended, which meant they were at their destination. Whoever was in the bunk room was attempting to be respectful and let her sleep, but she also knew that it meant they would attempt to wake Jake.
Jake slept with his arms still wrapped around her. It had been a long time since she had felt safe in a man’s arms. Not since she was last with Jake before she ever met Charles.
She reached a hand up and brushed his cheek. A five o’clock shadow made his face feel rough against her fingers. His eyes fluttered briefly before opening. Claire pressed a finger to her lips and motioned toward the curtain behind them.
They watched each other as they listened to the person moving around. Based on where the sound was coming from, it was Ben or Theo getting into their own bunks.
Please, Dear God, let it be Theo.
“Jake,” Theo’s voice whispered, and they both released a breath. “Time to get up.”
Jake squeezed Claire’s hip lightly before sliding out of the bunk. The curtain was left slightly open, giving Claire a view of Theo looking between the two of them.
“Oh,” Theo said, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smile. “How was your nap?”
Jake chuckled and squatted down to pull his own bunk curtains open.
“Refreshing.”
