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“They released Tara.”
“Oh.” Her head moves against my back like she’s shaking it side-to-side. “Oh, Dev.”
Loosening her hold, she ducks beneath my arm and wraps herself around me, lifting on her toes to kiss my jaw. “Are you okay?”
“She’s free, Nov.” I bury my face in her hair, inhaling the vanilla bean, holding her tighter while trying to stave off tears. “I don’t know how I feel.”
“That’s okay, Dev. I’m here. Whatever you need from me, I’m here.”
Slipping my palm over her soaked silk-clad bottom, I squeeze and lift my head to finally meet her arresting blue eyes. “I just need you.”
With a nod, her hands trail my slick back and into my hair. Drawing my mouth to hers, she gives me everything. Every breath, every heartbeat, every inch of her body, I lose myself in the only love I’ve ever known and ever want to know.
I stir in bed, unsure what woke me, until Nova’s hushed voice carries from the front room.
“Sharon, I don’t understand. Why would they release her? Devin said there’d be a hearing.”
Nova’s talking to Mom? I prop up on my elbow, rubbing sleep from my eyes. How long have I been out? I don’t even remember falling asleep. Glancing at the nightstand, I check the time—it’s a quarter to nine. Well, I’m glad I didn’t sleep the entire night away.
“So it’s temporary? Just a health precaution from the inside … What if she runs … Are you sure? He’ll keep good tabs on her … It would take two clicks on the internet for her to know where he is … He’s fine. I promise. I’m just worried … I’m going to stay home tomorrow. Just in case … Yeah, I’ll call you. Thank you. I love him, too.” Her quiet, somber laugh fills the air, and then I’m met with silence.
The muted taps of Nova’s feet draw closer until she stands in the open doorway, her silhouette illuminated by the hallway light. When she sees I’m awake, she pauses.
“Oh. Hey, sleepyhead.” Walking further into the room, she fidgets with her bracelet. “I didn’t know you were awake.”
“You don’t have to do that, you know.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she flips on the nightstand light. “Do what?”
I reach over and tug on the tie of her fluffy robe, maneuvering her closer. “Stay home tomorrow. Call my mom. Worry about me.”
She leans down and smooths back the fallen hair on my forehead, her tenderness drawing an ache from my heart. “Of course I do. I love you.”
“Nova.”
“Devin.” She mimics my serious tone. “I won’t push you to talk about your feelings, but I also won’t leave you to deal with them alone.”
“I won’t be alone. I was going to look at condos tomorrow morning with Sarah.”
“Then I’ll go with you. Or better yet, maybe you should put finding a place off.”
“Are you saying you want me to move in?” When she hesitates, I sigh. “That’s what I thought.”
I roll out of bed on the other side and tug on a pair of joggers from my suitcase on the floor.
“Are you mad?”
Mad? No. Disappointed? Yeah. I can’t lie. “I’m a lot of things tonight, Nova. It’s probably not the best time to discuss our living arrangements.” I round the bed and pull her from the mattress, kissing the tip of her nose to ease the sting of my frustration. She offers me a weak smile.
Holding her hips, I ask, “How did my mom sound?”
“Angry, but okay. She’s having dinner at Willa’s, so I’m sure the girls will cheer her up.”
“I’m surprised Will hasn’t called me.”
“Check your phone, big guy. I think you’ll find quite a few missed calls.”
My stomach grumbles loud enough for the neighbors to hear. “Later. Is that grilled cheese I smell?”
