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I led her to her room and put her in the second bed in hopes of not disturbing Beatrice. I got out the well-loved book and started reading.

Eventually, I felt a hand on my thigh.

Beatrice had woken up and was staring at me with narrowed eyes.

I was sure she would start screaming.

Instead, she climbed into the bed and settled in. There was a kid on either side of me, slowly falling asleep.

This was a peace I never thought I would get with them.

They were out by the time it was done, and I snuck out of their room. My heart hammered in my chest.

I couldn’t wait to offer to read this again tomorrow.

I was still staring in the direction of their room when a knock at the door brought me out of my thoughts.

Jade was on the other end of it.

“Were you waiting for me?” she asked. She walked in with a yawn. “Where are the demons?”

“Asleep.”

“You got them to bed?”

“It’s not impossible. Besides, I need to be able to.”

Her eyes went distant and she nodded. “We should sleep.”

“You seem off. And you’re not the only one.”

Jade raised an eyebrow. “Why are you asking?”

“Can I not ask?”

“Careful. Or I’ll start to think you care about the town.”

“I—” I paused. Was it worth saying anything?

“Before you left last time, you didn’t want to hear anything.” I knew if she caught any wind of me caring for Strawberry Springs, she wouldn’t hesitate to try to get me to stay.

It was better not to push for any more information.

As myself, anyway.

“You’re right. We should sleep.”

Jade nodded and went to my bedroom. I lay down first and I realized my sheets were starting to smell like her, and I wondered if it would ever come out.

I hoped it didn’t.

When she joined me, I didn’t hesitate to pull her into my arms.

She tensed.

“Are we okay?” I asked.

“Yeah, we are.” Her voice was quiet. “Long day.”