What is she nervous about? Does she seriously think I would leave?
“Things are different right now, but that doesn’t mean they’re weird. Eventually, we’ll get time alone. Then I can take you on a proper date.” I shove my own dark mood down to grin at Anastasia.
Her answering smile makes the mask worth it. “Good. I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be a pain. I just—” She trails off, then sets the bread she just cut onto two plates. “If you end up re-thinking this. We can go back to just being friends, Sawyer. I don’t want to lose you in my life because you’re too afraid to hurt my feelings.”
I stare at her—is she serious?
“Are you rethinking this?”
“What? No. Of course not.”
“Then what in the world would give you the impression that I was?”
“Well, I—” She stops speaking, and her cheeks heat. “Forget it; it’s dumb.”
“No, it’s not.” I move in closer, reaching out to cup her chin and tilt her face up. “If I seem distant, it’s only because not having my hands on you feels impossible. I’m trying to be respectful of your brother being here, even though the only thing I want to do is take you into my arms and keep you there.” I let my hand drop down to her shoulder, then trail the tips of my fingers over her arm.
Goosebumps flare to life along her skin, and she shudders.
“You are all I want, Anastasia. All I’ve ever wanted.”
Her breath catches, and she looks up at me through thick lashes. Unable to resist, I reach up and brush my thumb against her cheek.
“See, impossible,” I whisper, and she laughs.
“I can’t lose you, Sawyer.” Anastasia reaches up and presses her hand on my chest, right over a heart that beats only for her.
“You won’t. Ever.”
Chapter 16
Anastasia
“Zane!” I squeal my brother’s name and sprint through baggage claim to reach him. It’s been nearly a year since he was home, and now he’ll be coming home for good. Hopefully.
He holds out his arms and catches me as I jump. “Hey, little sister,” he says with a laugh.
“I’ve missed you!”
“I’ve missed you, too,” he replies with a soft laugh.
I pull away and grip his strong shoulders so I can study him. He looks okay, aside from some bruises on his face and a bandage on his forehead. It sickens me to see it, but these injuries don’t matter because he’s alive.
Alive and standing here.
Then I turn to the man who just walked over toward us. “Weston Hayes, is that a smile on your face?”
“For you, absolutely.” He opens his arms, and I step into his waiting embrace. My brother’s best friend, who has always been a second big brother to me. We’ve been through darkness together, bonding us forever.
I hug him tightly, then release. “Did you guys check bags?”
“No, but I have some other guys I want you to meet.” Zane glances behind him and waves. A man who is even taller than Weston’s impressive six-foot-five crosses over toward us. His eyes, a dark brown, are kind, but his expression is serious. A thick, short beard covers the lower half of his face, and his dark hair has been cut short. “This is Ryker Granger.”
I reach a hand out, and Ryker takes it. “It’s great to meet you, Ryker.”
“You, too, Anastasia. Zane has told us a lot about you.”
“Hopefully only good things,” I reply with a wink.
