Page 5 of Say It's Forever

“So, I was close.” He gives me another half smile, which makes me relax back into my seat. If he was going to hurt me, he would have done it by now. “I’m Garrett, by the way.”

“Garrett,” I repeat. I really like that. The dog wiggles closer to me, wanting some attention too. I give him a pet on the head, remembering how he tried to keep me warm.

“That’s Bear.”

“He’s handsome.” I give him a hug again. “Thank you, Bear.” When I lift my head, Garrett is still watching me. “I’m sorry that I passed out on your porch.”

“Don’t be. I’m just glad you’re okay.” He leans forward, putting his elbows on his knees. “Are you okay?”

“I think so.” Everything feels fine. Well, physically anyway. Before I passed out, I couldn’t feel my feet. Now they’re nice and warm.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Right.” I duck my head, focusing my attention back on Bear. Why do I suddenly feel shy about this? Or it could be that it’s embarrassing.

I don’t even know where to begin with everything. When Libby and I came up with this plan for me to escape the compound, I hadn’t expected to end up practically naked in a strange man's house. A very handsome man at that.

“How old are you?” he asks, giving me a second to get my thoughts together.

“Twenty.”

“Thank fuck,” he mutters, shaking his head. Not sure why that's such a good thing. I'm actually on the older side. A lot of the girls my age are married and have a few kids by now, but some of the rules had changed after one of the prophets was taken. He had not yet returned, and all we knew was that the government was attempting to destroy us. That’s the rhetoric we were told. After that, a few things changed, but not much.

“You cursed,” I stupidly point out. If a curse word ever crossed my lips, my father would make me live to regret it. Even if he said them all the time when he thought no one could hear him. Not Garrett, though. He just said it right here in front of me.

“Yeah, I tend to do that.” He leans back in the chair once more. “Now tell me. Are you all right?”

“No,” I whisper.

“You're running from something?”

“Kinda.”

“Kinda?” Now he’s the one repeating my words.

“I escaped, but I have to go back.”

“Escaped.” Garrett is on his feet. “Escaped who?” The concerned expression that he was wearing only a moment ago has disappeared. His jaw is now tight, and I can tell he’s trying to hold it together.

“My family.” I lick my dry lips. “My fiancé.” I hate calling him that, but he laid claim to me. Could I just break it if I was no longer there? I’m not sure how these things work.

“Fiancé?” Garrett fists his hands against his sides.

“Supposed to marry him in a few days.” That was before the storm rolled in. Things might have been delayed, but I couldn’t risk it.

“You ran from him?” I nod. “You don’t want to marry him?”

“Gosh no!” I wrap my arms around myself. “But it’s not really my choice.”

“You’re twenty. It’s your fucking choice, Snow.”

“Winter.” Did he forget my name already?

“I know, but I found you. My little snow angel passed out on my porch.” I swear there is a possessiveness to his words. It warmsme deep inside in a way I don’t understand. But I’m finding I want to.

5

GARRETT

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