The First

ng after she got home. It clung to her like a second ski

room, his tiny fingers clutching his favorite stuffed lion. At only six years old,

him before sliding into bed. She just needed sle

ng came, her u

t Day – A

phia barely looked up. The place was busier

" Liam asked, already

tefully. "You'

winked, mak

. Safe. She didn't notice the way Liam watched her, the s

café we

. The hum of conversation dulled, movem

when sh

suffocati

up and her stomach

a stood at t

bly expensive, dangerously powerful. He was a ma

counter as his ga

as he

before he moved, his strides

sion and stepped clo

rely n

the polished surface, his fingers tapping lightl

o sugar,"

ame deep, controlled voice that se

of every single pair of eyes watching them. When she

d, he

be more care

art st

up, start

o hers. "It's dangerous

he kno

eside her. "Who

er wavered from Sophia's, watching as her f

ut he leaned in just a fraction, h

ttle one." His lips barely moved, but the words sent ice

aightened, took his untouc

she could final

is face tight with co

dn't a

she knew this was