“Liar.”
Before I can say anything else, he shifts what he’s carrying into one hand and bends down.
“What are you doing?”
He gives me a look that saysisn’t that obvious.
And it is.
“You’re not walking the rest of the way.”
“Dane—”
“Charlotte.”
My name comes out firm enough that it should stop whatever argument I was about to make. It doesn’t. “You can’t carry me.”
“Try and stop me.”
He slides one arm behind my back, the other beneath my knees, and lifts me like it’s nothing. A startled breath slips out as I wrap my arms around his shoulders, holding on. His grip is solid, effortless—like carrying me doesn’t cost him anything at all.
“Trying to do this on your own is admirable, but it’s clear you’re struggling. It’s only been a few days since you were bitten by one of the most dangerous things on this island. You’re bloody lucky you made it through that. You’ve got every right to still be weak. There’s no shame in it.”
“I wanted to prove I could take care of myself, and all I did was prove I couldn’t.”
“That’s not true. Not even a little. You’re the strongest person I know.”
“I’m theonlyperson you currently know.”
He huffs out a quiet breath. “Well… I can’t argue with that.”
Beneath the embarrassment—beneath the weakness I hate him seeing—something new takes hold inside me.
Ease.
For years, being near Dane meant bracing myself. Watching what I said. Waiting for the next sharp look, the next cold silence, the next reminder that he hated me.
But like this—held against him—something new stirs inside me, and I don’t understand it.
I hate how easy it is to settle here in his arms. And I really hate that some part of me doesn’t want him to let go.
He adjusts his grip when the path narrows, holding me closer against him.
Heat rushes to my face.
It’s just because I’m weak and almost died. Because everything still feels off.
That’s what I tell myself.
“Let me know if your leg starts hurting more. We can stop if we need to.”
“I’m okay.”
We fall quiet again, and my thoughts drift back to the dreams.
“Did I say anything?”
Dane keeps his eyes ahead. “When?”
