DAHLIA

Jay stood close to me, shoulders tight, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees with sharp intensity. I could feel his tension, like a live wire buzzing in the air between us.

Then I saw him.

He stood near the edge of the lake, hands clasped behind his back, back straight, posture regal. The golden in his eyes caught the fading sun as he turned slightly, already aware we had arrived even before we’d taken a single step toward him.

Jay stepped forward protectively, but I placed a hand on his arm.

“Let me,” I murmured.

He didn’t move, didn’t like it, but he trusted me enough to let me...