Page 111 of Seeking Shadows

Seth watches me with that look—like he doesn’tquitebelieve I’m real. Like he wants to be sure but doesn’t knowhow.

Then, without thinking, I throw myself at him and hug him again.

“Did I ever tell you I missed you?”

He sighs dramatically. “Only a million times.”

“I missed you.”

This time, he doesn’t answer.

But he hugs me back.

And I know.

He missed me too.

CHAPTER 20

MIA

The next day, I told myself I was just visiting Laura to get the awkwardness over with—but honestly, I think a part of me just missed her and didn’t know what to do with the feeling.

I stare at Zane and then glance up at my sister’s mansion, my jaw dropping.

It’s huge.

Bigger than anything I’ve ever seen, but somehow cozy, like it was custom-made for her. The architecture looks like something out of an old movie—royalty with a touch of modern softness. There’s a cute tree in the yard and a playground next door.

My sister’s children. My family..

My chest tightens with the reality of this. I have nephews. I have a sister.

“Are you going to be okay?” Zane asks beside me, his calm voice that sometimes makes me want to shake him. “If you want me to stay, I will.”

“I’ll be fine,” I say, not taking my eyes off the house. “It’s Laura. I trust her.”

“I know she won’t hurt you, Mia, but that’s not all I’m talking about.” He hesitates, his gaze intense, as if he knows exactly what I’m feeling before I even understand it. “If you need me in there, I’ll be there for you.”

I smile, my chest warming.I don’t deserve him.

“No, you deserve more,” Zane whispers, as if he’s read my mind.

My heart pounds. Why does he do this? Why does he always say these things that make me so vulnerable?

“Stop putting yourself down,” I say, trying to sound firm, but my voice wavers. “You’re strong, you’re enough, and I—like… I like you for who you are.”

Zane smiles at the corner of his mouth, that perceptive little smile, because he noticed.

He always notices.

I almost said I love him.

Should I have said it? I feel it. I know I feel it.

“If you need me, I won’t be far,” he says, returning to his practical tone. “Try to have fun with the brats.”

“Try to have fun with Liam,” I tease, my smile mischievous, and I notice the way his shoulders tense.

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