Page 98 of Jay Bird

Willow smiled, then climbed beneath the covers.

Jay Bird stayed exactly where he was, giving Willow all the space she needed. He didn’t reach for her or move any closer, and he left the lamp on until she was completely settled. Even then, Willow positioned herself as far away from him as the king-size bed allowed.

Jay Bird looked over.

She looked back.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Jay.”

“It’s a king-size bed, Willow, not the continental United States.”

She glanced at the enormous stretch of mattress separating them.

“I like personal space.”

“Apparently.”

“You said I could choose.”

“I did.”

“I choose Montana.”

He laughed. “Montana it is.”

Willow smiled and rolled onto her back.

Jay Bird shut off the light, and darkness settled around them.

For a while, neither spoke.

Willow listened to the ceiling fan turning lazily overhead, the soft hum of the air conditioner blending with the steady sound of Jay Bird breathing beside her. She checked the monitor to make sure Lily was still asleep, then checked it again a few moments later.

On the third check, Jay Bird spoke. “She’s still there.”

“I know.”

Another minute passed and Willow checked it again.

“Still there,” he murmured.

She turned her head. “Are you counting?”

“Nope.”

“You are.”

“SEALs are observant.”

“SEALs are annoying.”

“Also true.”

Willow smiled into the darkness. Then the humor faded.