Page 31 of The Savior

She stared at the ceiling. Tears wanted to fall again. Everything she’d kept pent up inside her fought to be free. Her shoulders tightened, and she squeezed her eyes closed.

Liam draped his arm around her shoulder as though he wasn’t sure how to hug. “Maybe you should just… cry.”

“I don’t want to.”

His hand gripped the opposite shoulder, hugging. “If it keeps you from hurling queso…”

She choked on laughter, then inexplicably, tears fell. Chelsea tried to hold them in. If she cried, she felt as if she’d somehow failed, and couldn’t fail right then. Someone in the kitchen had to be strong.

Then again, she couldn’t remember anyone ever hugging her when she cried. Against his shoulder, Chelsea let go and sobbed for everything she’d held in for a year until she could take a deep, tearless breath.

“Better?” he asked.

She draped her head back onto his shoulder. “Don’t tell anyone.”

“Wouldn’t dare.”

He held tight until she finished, and she prayed that she’d never lose control like that again.

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