Page 62 of Unspoken Love

“Sort of, but I didn’t necessarily mention that you were staying with me.”

“That’s okay. One day at a time. Max and Juliette are supposed to be back at the end of the month,” he said as he started the truck and headed back down the road.

“A lot can happen in less than a month. I mean, was it really only two months ago I moved here?” she said, still resting her head on his shoulder.

“Yeah.” He turned into the long driveway. “Not a day goes by that I’m not thankful you did.”

When he parked by her car, he turned off his truck and pulled her into his arms again. “I didn’t like that I couldn’t do anything to help you. Feeling like there’s nothing you can do to help someone you love is the worst thing ever.” He kissed her again.

“Nate,” she said, glancing up at him.

He stopped her by shaking his head. “I get it. I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to get used to me saying it.” He smiled. “Come on, let’s go in and have some apple pie and ice cream. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have Lena fill in for you so we can go explore that new tunnel.”

She perked up at that and kissed him back.

Nate held her hand as they walked through the front door, kicking their shoes off by the entryway.

Everything felt much quieter now.

In the kitchen, he pulled out the two slices of the apple pie he’d thawed out earlier and warmed them in the oven while she got out the vanilla ice cream. She was moving more slowly than usual, her hand drifting to her implant occasionally, but she was smiling—and that was enough for him.

She had changed into a different pair of boy-short pajama bottoms and another one of his T-shirts. He took a moment to change into his own comfy shorts and a clean T-shirt.

Then they carried their plates into the living room and settled side by side on the sofa. Faye tucked her legs under her as Nate queued up an older movie—something easy and cheerful, the kind that didn’t ask for much but still left you grinning.

They ate slowly, savoring the warm cinnamon apples and the way the cold ice cream melted into the crust. Faye leaned into him, letting her head rest on his shoulder.

“I’m not sure if it’s the pie or the company, but I feel a lot better,” she murmured.

“Definitely the pie,” he teased, earning a soft elbow to the ribs.

When their plates were empty, he set them aside on the coffee table and pulled the blanket off the back of the sofa to cover them. She nestled into him without hesitation, her cheek pressed against his chest while her fingers lightly traced patterns along his side.

Halfway through the movie, he glanced down and saw that her eyes were closed, her breathing soft and even. He turned the volume down just a touch, then wrapped his arms more securely around her.

This. This was everything he wanted.

The fireworks, the crowds, the worry from earlier—it had all faded. What remained was the quiet rise and fall of her breath, the steady thump of her heart against his side, and the weight of a love that had crept in when he wasn’t looking.

Tomorrow, they’d explore hidden tunnels and chase legends. Maybe even find the lost diamond.

But tonight?

Tonight, he held her close and let the world wait.

And somewhere between the second act and the closing credits, with her body curled against his and her hair spread across his chest, he let sleep take him too—content, full, and completely in love.

Chapter Nineteen

Faye woke with a slight start and a very bad kink in her neck. It took her a moment to realize that they had fallen asleep on the sofa the night before.

She was curled up against Nate, his heartbeat steady beneath her cheek. The steady rhythm had lulled her last night. Now, however, her body screamed for a different position, and she stretched carefully.

A soft groan escaped her as she sat up slowly, rubbing her neck. Nate stirred beside her, eyes cracking open, one arm instinctively reaching out toward where she’d been.

“Morning,” she whispered, leaning down to brush her lips against his.

“Mmm. Is it?” he muttered sleepily. Then he cracked one eye open. “Do we have to get up?”