Page 37 of Where the Stars Heal

Her eyes gloss over, and I reach across the table to grab her hand, the heat of her palm against mine calming my pulse.

“You don’t have to tell me, but what happened to him? You both looked so happy in the photo. Why was it hidden away?” she asks, her tone cautious.

I pull back, and the loss of her touch sends a chill up my arm. “Because it’s from a time in my life that I’m not proud of.”

A moment passes by before she realizes I won’t say more. “Will you tell me one day?”

“One day…” I trail off, shaking my head. “Apparently I don’t know how to say no to you Dawsons.”

Confusion flickers across her face, and I chuckle lightly, the mood shifting with it, and the heaviness in the air starts to fade away as my heart slows down to a steadier beat.

“When I first got to Sunlit Cove, I wasn’t the nicest person to be around,” I say.

“No way, really?” Halle gasps, her hand to her chest, mocking me.

Smiling at her, I continue, “Your brother, he was the only one in Sunlit Cove who saw me for who I was, who I could be. He didn’t walk away when I tried to push him away, and eventually, I caved. I told him everything. I owe a lot to him because if it weren’t for him, I don’t know where I would be right now.”

Leaning across, I reach for her forgotten milkshake and take a long sip, smiling around the straw at the look on her face. Her eyebrows shoot up and she sucks in her cheeks before her eyes narrow on me and her milkshake.

“I was going to drink that.” She points at me.

I put the empty glass down in front of her and offer up my bestI’m sorryeyes. “Oops.”

She huffs and crosses her arms. “You’re still infuriating.”

Laughing, I stand and grab my things. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

The tension between us still lingers as we walk down the street, but it’s not the same as before. It’s not heavy with the weight of our pasts hanging in the air. There’s a pull that leads me straight to her, and something inside of me screamsmine.

I glance over at her and find the space between us far too wide for my liking. It’s unsettling. I need her closer to me. Knowing I have to get back for my shift at the bar tonight is killing me because right now, the last thing I want to do is leave her.

I want to learn everything there is to know about her, the things that she loves and hates. What turns her off, what makes her laugh uncontrollably, her favorite color and foods, what her dreams are.

Reaching over, I take her hand in mine and pull her close, erasing the space between us. The little gasp that leaves her mouth sends a thrill down my spine. Her handfits in mine like it belongs there, and something settles in me.

I can see the wheels turning in her pretty little head, but I wait for her to use her voice, squeezing her hand in a reassuring way. I shoot her my best flirtatious smile, and the laugh I get in return causes me to smile wide.

“What are you doing?” she asks as we reach my truck.

I stop on her side and open the door, but before she gets in, I grab her elbow, spinning her around so she faces me. Her breath hitches at how close we’re standing together, and I lean in further, my hand braced on the door frame above her head. The air between us crackles as her wide eyes meet mine.

“Halle,” I murmur, my voice sounding raspier than usual.

I breathe in her sweet caramel scent. Her lips part, and I can’t help but fixate on how soft and plush they look. How they would feel against mine.

“If I haven’t made myself clear enough, let me spell it out for you here and now.” I swallow hard, the lump in my throat tightening as I confess. “I like you and I want to know you as more than just Hunter’s little sister.”

My eyes bounce between hers as her cheeks turn a deep pink, and I watch her take in every word I just spoke. She goes to lean into the door but I catch her around the waist, bringing her into me, wrapping both arms around her in an all-consuming hug. For a moment, the outside world ceases to exist. The noise around us dulls, and there’s only the two of us. The cars driving down the street, birds chirping, and the people in the distance yelling all go silent. She brings her arms up around me and grips the back of my shirt like I’m her lifeline and fuck, this feels right, having her in my arms, holding her tight. I can feelher heart racing in her chest, matching the rhythm of my own.

Kissing the top of her head, I reluctantly let go and motion for her to get in.

“Hey, Asher?” she murmurs, voice soft as she bites down on her lower lip nervously. “I see you, too.”

She climbs into the truck and settles into her seat. Without thinking, I lean over, grab her seatbelt, and buckle her in. My hand lingers for a moment longer, causing her to shift in her seat. Her chest brushes against my arm, and I catch the sharp inhale she tries to hide. I smile at how nervous she’s become.

“I hope so because next time, I won’t hold back.” My thumb traces her lower lip softly.

Stepping back, I close her door and round the truck, leaving my pounding heart in her hands.

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