When I wake up the next day the first thing I notice is warmth. Not the heavy, suffocating kind that makes me want to kick the blankets off, but steady heat at my back. There's an arm around my waist, loose, not trapping me, just there.
My eyes open fully and I stare at the wall in front of me, my mind scrambling to catch up. For a second I think maybe I wandered into the wrong room again. Maybe this is still some half-dream my brain hasn't let go of yet
Then I shift slightly and the arm tightens, just a fraction.
Zane.
My stomach twists.
He's still here.
He leaves the bed before I wake always. Half the time he's already gone when I open my eyes, like he doesn't want to deal with whatever version of me the morning brings. So this.....him still here, this close...feels wrong in a way I can't name.
I don't move again.
His breathing changes his not asleep anymore.
Then his arm loosens and I roll just enough to look up.
He's already watching me.
