Page 121 of The Lair

We love you, Allie Cat. We want you to come back. You’re one of us, and your past isn’t gonna change that. We’ll always be best friends.

Jude

Not good with technology, but we miss you, kid. You did what you had to do. Respect to that.

Sandra

Oh, sweetie. My heart breaks for you. Please come back. The Lair isn’t the same without your light. Nobody is angry at you. We could never be.

Lola

Hey, girl. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now. I’m here if you need to talk. No judgment, ever <3

After my conversation with Travis yesterday, the urge to pack my things and catch the next flight to Maine become so strong, I have to force myself to pause.

Yes, I want to be with Travis.

Yes, he feels the same for me.

But no, I’m not ready to take that step yet.

I need to find myself first. Not fully, because I know that’s an ongoing process, but just…enough. Enough to give us the chance we deserve.

Now, as I slide my feet into my house slippers and head out of my bedroom, I wonder who could be waiting for me at the door. George, maybe? He hasn’t contacted me about Congress again,and I’m not sure he knows where I live, but Travis didn’t know either, and he showed up anyway.

God, he showed up.

I don’t know what I’ve done to have such a patient, caring man in my life, but I’m grateful for him every day.

When I round the corner of the hallway, I stop.

Travis gives me a lopsided smile that straight up kills me. “Hey.”

Jada sends me a knowing look, her own mouth quivering with the beginning of a smirk. “I’ll leave you two to it.”

If eyes could smile, his are doing it right now. As his gaze travels from my face to my feet, I don’t particularly care that my hair is a mess, that I’m wearing an oversized old T-shirt with a hole in my armpit, or that my house slippers are lobster themed. None of that matters because he’s here. Again.

“You said you wanted to get to know me better,” he starts in that deep rumble that sounds so soothing, I could fall asleep listening to his voice every night. “And I want to know you better too.”

I swallow back my nerves. “I thought you’d already left.”

He shakes his head. “I can stay a few days.”Days. “I’d like to spend them with you, if you want.”

Is this real? Ishereal?

“I know you need time and space. I don’t want to be overbearing. But I’d like to see you every day, just for a couple hours, and do stuff together. Just the two of us. If you want. I can leave for Maine right now if you’d rather?—”

“Don’t leave,” I cut him off, emotion clogging my voice. “Please don’t.”

Those massive shoulders visibly relax. “I won’t. Not unless you ask me to.”

“I won’t ever ask you to leave.”

His smirk is devastating. So, so devastating, it makes me weak in the knees.

“Give me ten minutes to get ready,” I tell him, forcing myself to act like a normal person. “Or did you not want to hang out today?”

The corner of his mouth tilts a little higher, and I swear this is the happiest I’ve ever seen him. “I want to, if you’re free.”

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