Page 122 of Never Quiet

Dressing quickly in underthings, jeans, and a soft bulky sweater, she pulled on socks and heeled boots.

In slacks and a sweater, he knelt at her feet. “Amanda? Where are you going?”

“We’re having company for breakfast.”

He frowned. “You haven’t slept.”

She kissed his lips. “Finish getting dressed, Hayden.” Pulling her hair into a messy bun, she stood so he’d stand with her.

Hayden pulled her into a hard hug. “You’re shaking.”

Cupping the back of his head, she admitted, “Doing the right thing isn’t always easy. You know that.” She planted a kiss on his neck and pulled away, leaving the room.

Noel, Tawny, Roark, and Ash were already well into breakfast preparations and she whispered, “Thank you.”

Crossing the room, Noel held her face. “Breathe, Amanda.”

Nodding, she tried.

When Hayden appeared beside her, Amanda told him, “When I’ve told you everything, I’m going to ask for one favor. I need you to promise now that you’ll grant it.”

He stared into her eyes. “I will. I swear it.”

Shaking, she fought the selfish part of her that wanted to keep him, that never wanted to let him go.

It was a fight she wasn’t sure she could win.

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