Page 80 of Make Out With A Merman

That I wasn’t a distraction.

I was the reason he wanted to live.

It hits so hard I can’t breathe.

My eyes snap open underwater, tears lost to the current.

He’s still there.

Still gripping my hand like the only anchor he has to the world.

Maybe it is.

His eyes search mine.

I nod.

You’re not alone, I mouth.

And then I press my forehead to his.

The rift screams.

But I don’t care.

Because I know now.

This man, the one who tried to carry the world alone, who buried his power out of fear, who let the lake define his worth.

Hedeservessaving.

Hedeserveslove.

The pressure builds again.

The rift shrieks louder now, desperate, angry, furious that I’m still here.

Still holding him.

Still winning.

But my lungs, Gods, they’reburning.

I fight the panic rising up my throat.

I shake my head. My body jerks once, the involuntary, terrifying pull of reflex.

I need air.

Ryder sees it.

His eyes go wide.

Without a second of hesitation, he leans in and kisses me.

Not out of want.

Out ofneed.

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