Ryder

A soft, warm brush touched my lips. It was light — barely there — but I knew instantly it was her. Lila. My eyes stayed closed for a heartbeat, letting the feeling sink in. I could have moved away. I could have pretended I was asleep. But I didn’t want to. I didn’t want this to stop.

I opened my eyes slowly. The room was dark, but the faint hallway light slipping under the door was enough to see her face — close, uncertain, beautiful. Her brown eyes were wide and searching, reflecting the dim glow. She looked nervous, but there was something else there too. Something brave.

I...