Page 104 of The Assist
I shrug, feeling weirdly shy. “Guess I just remember what it felt like. Looking up to someone. Dreaming big.”
She leans her head against my shoulder. And just like that, the heaviness in my chest shifts. Becomes something lighter and more hopeful.
We drive home as the sky darkens, streetlights blurring into gold smudges through the windshield. The giant unicorn is strapped into its own seat in the rear of my car. Mia insisted it wore a seatbelt and who am I to argue.
Mia falls asleep in the passenger seat, curled up like a cat. I steal glances at her every chance I get. Memorising the way her lashes flutter against her cheeks. The way her mouth softens in sleep.
She’s beautiful in a way that has nothing to do with looks. She’sreal. And I’m so far gone it’s not even funny anymore.
When I pull up outside her flat, I kill the engine and just sit there, watching her.
I should wake her gently. Be respectful. Instead, I reach over and brush a knuckle down her cheek. “Mia,” I murmur. She stirs, blinking up at me, confused and sleepy. “We’re home,” I say softly.
She sits up, stretching, hair a mess, and her hoodieslipping off one shoulder. And I’m gone. Before I can talk myself out of it, I lean across and kiss her. Not asking for anything. Justbeing. She kisses me back without hesitation, hands sliding into my hair, tugging me closer. The heat between us sparks instantly, like a match dropped onto dry grass.
I pull back before I do something stupid. Before I beg her to let me stay.
Her lips are swollen, her eyes heavy. “I had the best day,” she whispers.
“Good. Me too,” I rasp.
She opens the door, slipping out into the cool night air. But before she shuts it, she leans back in, eyes shining. “You’re worth it, Diesel.”
The door clicks shut and I sit there, heart hammering against my ribs, breathless and wrecked and more in love than I ever thought possible.
CHAPTER FIFTY
MIA
The morning sunlight wakes me as it sneaks through the gap in my curtains, stretching across the bed, warming my face. I blink awake, muscles heavy, mind still hazy with leftover happiness.
My arms are wrapped tight around the stupid giant pink unicorn Dylan won for me yesterday, the one I swore I’d pretend I hated. I smile like an idiot into the pillow.
The day feels unreal, perfect in the kind of way that makes you suspicious. Like you’re waiting for the catch. But for now, I let myself have it. Let myself hold onto the warmth in my chest. The way Dylan kissed me in the car last night, slow and sweet, like he wasn’t afraid anymore. LikeIwasn’t either.
My phone lights up on the nightstand. I reach for it blindly, already knowing who it’ll be.
Sophie: I know you’re awake. Spill. EVERYTHING.
I laugh softly and fire back a response.
Mia: Coffee first. Then I’ll call.
Sophie: Make it a strong one. I’m living throughyou, Clarke.
Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffle to the kitchen, flick the kettle on, and dump instant coffee into a mug like my life depends on it.
Ten minutes later, I’m curled up on the sofa, legs tucked under me, pink unicorn propped at my side, phone pressed to my ear.
Sophie picks up on the first ring. “Finally,” she says dramatically. “I was about two seconds away from calling Dylan myself.”
I snort. “You don’t have his number.”
“Details,” she says breezily. “Now spill. Start from the top. Was it everything? Was itmore? Did he say those three little words?”
I grin, remembering the way Dylan held my hand on the beach like it was the most natural thing in the world. How he kissed me when I was half asleep, like he couldn’t help himself.
“It was a lovely day, just the two of us and no prying eyes. Couldn’t have been better.” I trail off, searching for the right words. I’m not giving up any private details, Dylan told me he loves me days ago but that’s mine to keep. I’m not sharing that with anyone.
