Page 19

I set the phone down and Lyla stirs, making a soft sound. Her eyes flutter open, unfocused and confused for a second. Then she sees me and goes very still.

"Hi," I say quietly.

"Hi." Her voice is rough with sleep. "You're still here."

"Yeah."

"I thought maybe I dreamed you."

"Not a dream," I say with a smile.

She's quiet for a moment, and I can see her brain catching up, remembering last night. The kissing, the stopping, the way we ended up here. A slight flush creeps up her neck.

"Did you sleep okay?" I ask.

"Better than I have in months. You?"

"Same."

She shifts slightly, propping herself up on one elbow so she can look at me properly. Her tank top is twisted sideways, showing one shoulder, and her hair is a complete disaster.

She's never looked more beautiful.

"What time is it?" she asks.

"Almost seven."

"That's obscenely early."

"Military habit. Can't break it."

"Do you have to go to work?"

"Eventually. Not yet." I reach up and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "How are you feeling about last night?"

She considers the question. "Good. A little embarrassed that I changed my mind halfway through."

"Don't be embarrassed."

"I feel like I led you on."

"You didn't. You were figuring out what you wanted. That's not leading me on."

"Trevor used to get mad when I did that. When I'd change my mind or say no after we'd already started."

My jaw tightens. "I'm not Trevor."

"I know. I'm just..." She looks down at my chest, tracing a pattern with her finger. "I'm still learning that it's okay to change my mind. That saying no doesn't make me a tease or difficult or whatever."

We lie there for a while longer, not talking, just existing together. Her head is back on my chest, and I can feel her breathing slowly evening out again. For a second I think she's fallen back asleep, but then she says, "Do you regret coming back last night?"

"No. Do you regret letting me in?"

"No. But I keep thinking I should." She shifts so she can see my face. "We barely know each other. This is happening really fast. I should probably slow down."

"But you don't want to be."

"No. And that scares me."