Powerless (Chestnut Springs, #3)

by Elsie Silver

Plus, I remember how Sloane looks at a man when she really wants him. And she isn’t looking at her fiancé the way she used to look at me.

I chance a look at Sloane now to see how she might react to my dark question. But as usual, she doesn’t shy away from my darkness—after all, she’s my Sunny. She chases away the dark just by being herself.

Because I’ve been staring at Jasper Gervais since I was ten years old, and suddenly . . . he’s staring back.

“Times have changed, Sloane. I’m not scared anymore. You’re not my fucking friend. You’re just mine.”

“I feel like I could crumble under the weight of not wanting to disappoint you. I’m paralyzed by my fear of losing you.”

“The thought of needing you this badly and letting you down.” He drops my gaze, shaking his head. “It fucking kills me.”

It’s like she and I are tethered together, but she’s the strong one. The pillar. And when troubled waters wash me downstream, all I have to do is follow the rope that ties me back to her.

“No, Sunny. I shouldn’t be scared. You’re the least scary thing in my life. You’re not just tattooed on my skin. You’re branded on my heart. Woven into the fiber of my being. The most constant and reassuring person in my life. When I close my eyes, I see you. When you’re away from me, I dream about you. When I need someone to lean on, you are always there for me. God. You’ve loved me when I haven’t even been able to love myself.”

“What did it mean?” “That when it comes to you, I’m powerless.”