The mattress creaks as Asher moves. “Lucy.” Sniffling, I suck in a breath of air and let my arms fall. My smile feels watery and forced. “Sorry. I just needed a minute.” When I look back at him, his arms are wide open, legs spread slightly. The sketchbook sits on his nightstand, abandoned in my favor. My throat burns as I push one foot forward. God, I don’t want to need him like this, but I can’t help it. He’s always been the safest place in the world for me. Another smaller sob peals out of me, and I sprint in his direction, launching myself at him. He catches me with a tiny grunt, wrapping
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