Moonlight Serenades

y lips, the confusion tighteni

.. whatever that was. "Oh, Astrid, don't look so serious," she said smoothly, tucking a loose strand of hair b

about her tone made my skin prickle, but I for

ou're right." Then, as if remembering something, she turned to me

ed. "Ex

"I know you never seemed too interested before, but surely t

but I kept my face carefully

ever wanted. The way he takes care of me, of us-" She placed a gentle hand over her stomach, her expression softening. "You wouldn't believe how protective he is. Some nights, he barely

roat

my chest and forced a small smile. "T

ight, almost teasing. "I hope one da

didn't trust m

e, I had imagined a life where I was the one Kaiden pr

And no matter how much I tried to pus

ith a man who was nev

to get ou

right, the music too loud. My heart pounded painfully against my ribs as I forced myself

ed my throat and forced a polite smile. "I should go find

ourse, don't let me keep you." Then,

and A

d before glanci

g unreadable in her eyes. "Don't wander too far. Kai

way she said it ma

just nodded, turne

st my ribs. I needed air. I needed space. I needed to rip thi

haled shakily, gripping the cold railing as the

That's w

rsing a love that never

es shut. Get it

ou just got punc

r voice sent a sh

turn around to

id

nse, electric force that settled ar

ced him. "And you look like someone who should

e before I could decipher it. He stepped closer

umorless laugh.

e, side by side, staring at the

voice quieter. "Did sh

fened.

ver left mi

s. "She was just telling me how

rkened, but he di

d. "It's fine, Kaiden. Re

asted lik

lenched.

ever it was he wanted to say

ng pain shot t

red, colors bleeding into darkness

e scent of cedar and some

acing the cur

voice murmuring

y on, you are

a

never ful

-ripped away from me like a t

ng back as realit

uld collapse, his strong han

uneven gulps. Kaiden's grip on my arms was firm, steady, groun

he echo of a voice that sounded so much like Kaiden's, but wasn'

as r

d bee

t

laced with something I couldn't p

s parting, but before I

liced through

th

er vi

er me

od-re

att

ruised, standing in fr

desperate. "No one

-dar

from Kaiden's grasp, clutching

ing, breath shaking, I barely recogniz

.. who w