Page 49 of Mystic's Sunrise

I wanted to say more, to tell him that I never saw him as a scarred man. That he meant so much to me. Instead, I let my hand linger, hoping he understood what I couldn’t put into words.

His expression softened—just a flicker, barely there. But I saw it.

A door creaked open behind us. The moment shattered. I pulled my hand away as Brenda and Horse stood in the doorway.

“You ready to head back inside,” he asked, still studying me.

I held his gaze a minute longer before nodding and stepping back toward the clubhouse. My legs felt heavy, my body still recovering, but something inside me felt lighter.

I had stepped outside.

I had reached for him.

And he had let me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

SLEEP DIDN’T COMEeasy most nights.

Didn’t come at all tonight.

I sat on the edge of my bed, rolling a coin between my fingers, the cold metal flipping and catching the light from the bedside lamp.

My head was a mess, thoughts tangled like a knot. It had been hours since I saw her—felt her touch, heard her words, saw her looking at me like I was someone worth loving. Touched me like I was a whole man.

Like my face wasn’t a twisted mess.

A knock at the door cut through the silence. Light. Hesitant. I knew who it was before I even stood.

I pulled the door open, and there she was.

Zeynep.

She stood in the dark hallway, barefoot, the oversized sweatshirt hanging loose around her frame.

My sweatshirt.

She clutched the ends of the sleeves in her hands like she was thinking twice about being here.

But she didn’t leave.

"Couldn't sleep?"

She shook her head. "No."

Her accent softened the word, made it quieter.

I exhaled through my nose and stepped back. "Come in."

She hesitated for half a second before slipping past me, her presence filling the space the way it always seemed to.

I shut the door, watching as she moved toward the bed but turned before she reached it. Her fingers ran along the edge of the desk, trailing over the worn wood like she was memorizing it.

"Somethin' wrong?" I asked, crossing my arms.

She nodded, but her eyes said something else.

"I keep thinking about today," she murmured, glancing up at me. "Being outside. Breathing fresh air." She exhaled, like she was trying to hold onto that moment. "I have not felt free in such a long time."

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