Page 69 of All Your Firsts Without Me

He dries us off, wrapping me up in a bath towel, then guides me to my room. What he does next makes me pause, I wipe my eyes as I watch him. Westin digs through David’s dresser, once he finds what he is looking for, he comes back and slips it over my head. I instantly pull the soft t-shirt up to my nose; David’s scent is still holding on. I sniffle out a little,“thank you,”falling in love with Westin even more.

After I’m dressed, he tucks me in bed. “I’ll be right back.”

I snuggle down in the covers, still struggling to pull myself together. He comes back minutes later with a mug of hot cocoa, the kind with the colored marshmallows I like. Westin hands it to me then picks up the book I was reading off the nightstand. He settles on top of the bedspread, leaning himself against the headboard, dressed in nothing but sweatpants.

“I n-need t-to go l-lock up,” I sniffle.

“Everything is locked and put away. Lights are off and Lucky is sleeping soundly on her dog bed. No worries.” He pulls me close, letting me rest my head on his lap, then he starts to read from the page I had left off on.

His voice calms me as I listen to the words. I allow them to pull me into the story. He runs his fingers through my hair as he reads. My eyelids droop as he lulls me to calmer waters.

When I feel him try to slip from the bed, I reach out and grab his hand. “Will you stay with me?”

His gaze flits over my face. “Are you sure? I don’t mind sleeping on the couch.”

“No, I want you to stay here. I slide over and lift my yellow starburst comforter for him.”

He gives me a megawatt smile before sliding in. When he adjusts his pillow, he pulls something out from under it.

Oh my god. How embarrassing.

“I can explain,” I say quickly as he smirks at the photo of him and David.

“No need. I have a similar one under my pillow at home.”

“You do?” I ask confused.

“Yep. But it’s much prettier than this one.” He motions for me to lift my head and then he slides it under my pillow.

I give him a bashful smile. “So, we are both thieves.” I laugh lightly, snuggling into his side.

He chuckles, his body shaking against mine. “Maybe we are more alike than we thought.”

My fingers trail through the dusting of hair on his chest. “Thank you for taking care of me tonight.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you what you wanted,” he says quietly.

My eyelids grow heavy. “Mmm, you gave me something better. You gave me what I needed,” I murmur, sleepily.

Westin doesn’t say anything. The press of his lips to mine lets me know how he feels about what I said.

I fall asleep—safe, comfortable, and loved.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

April

“Boo!”

“Goddammit, Kaden!”

He picks me up off my feet from behind, swinging me around in a circle. I’m laughing by the time he sets me back on my feet. He gives me a big kiss on the cheek before releasing me.

Westin, and I’m assuming the girl standing beside him, Carly, are both staring at us with amused expressions on their faces.

“Kade, this is Westin,” I introduce them.

They shake hands. “I’ve heard a lot about you,” Kaden says before turning to his girlfriend. “April, Westin, this is my girlfriend, Carly.”

---