I help her cook, and a comfortable silence passes between us. We don’t have the playful easy way we had before, but we move around the space like we have a hundred times before. When we get there, it’s like no time has passed. With that, I take her hand and lead her downstairs to the kitchen. You and I are going to straighten things out, make no mistake.”

I square my shoulders and walk over to her, getting in her space. “Don’t you dare make me a promise you can’t keep, Eli.” Just before she walks out of her room, she turns to look back at me. “Let’s go downstairs and wait on Alice,” she says walking around me and going to the door. But my arms are cold without her, and it takes everything in my power not to pull her back to me. A thank you for comforting her and telling her it’s going to be okay. “Thank you,” she whispers before stepping out of my arms.Īnd that’s exactly what the kiss was.

Maggie leans back and touches her lips, shocked she did it. This is over faster than it began, and I think we’re both surprised by it. It’s not a ravenous kiss like the first time I tasted her.

And before I can process what’s happening, she places her soft full lips against mine. She nods again, and my words give her some reassurance. I promise you that I’ll make sure this all turns out all right.” Her beautiful blue eyes are filled with tears, but she nods, knowing I’m telling her the truth. I slide my hand under her chin and make her tilt her head up to look in my eyes. I should keep her at a distance until we have time to talk things through, but I’m not strong enough to push her away. Her body relaxes a little and selfishly I take the comfort she’s giving me. He’s like a cross between a Jedi and MacGyver. I hold her while she cries and try to reassure her that the Major is alive. Everything is going to be okay.” She leans against my chest as my arms rub up and down her back. I’m in front of her and pulling her into my arms as the sobs start to shake her body. Then a sadness takes over, and she bursts into tears. There’s a pull of a smile at the corner of her mouth, but she bites her lip to keep it from growing. I wouldn’t want him to yell at me for messing up his neat folds.” I wouldn’t feel right taking Major’s room, and the couch we all used to hang out on is big enough to be a bed. “I’ll sleep on the couch in the family room,” I say, stopping her. “She took your old room, so if you’re staying I guess you can take Dad’s room-” Alice should be home soon, and I’ll make us something to eat while we wait on the phone call.” She looks around the room and then back at me. It’s about the Major right now, and we need to focus on that. I wait a moment, letting her decide if she wants to speak, and watch as she turns around to face me. It’s as if the anger visibly leaves her, and some of the tightness in my chest releases. I see her take a breath, and then her shoulders fall.

Growling For Mine by Alexa Riley