WHAT WE NEVER SAID

ad lights that buzzed softly above them. The silence between her and Jace wasn't u

, more than usual. His hands were stuffed in his hood

Mr. Broody?" she asked

of his mouth twitching. "I'm alwa

ou and your tr

de her unclench. That was the thing with Jace-he could ground her with

lose he was behind her. She could feel the heat of his body at her back. When she p

o

d turned to face him.

o make her heartbeat tick up be

the room like it always did-habitually, protectively. He set the pizza

xt week. And my group partner fo

brow. "Want me

east intimidate him wit

straight-faced, then cracked a gr

Zara felt that tension again-just beneath her skin. The way he leaned back into the couch, legs spre

s tired. The way his fingers tapped against his thigh when he was holding something back. The

t was easier when they

with your mom?" h

stiff

flicked on some low-volume sitcom rerun as background noise

goi

ged. "Don

u don't have to tell me anything you

m. His eyes were soft, st

voice quieter than

eing the adult than actually being a kid. It wasn't something she liked to talk about. Especially not with Jace. Not bec

she was afraid he

her into the couch. "Tired of feeling like I

d closer and gently pulled her into his side, his ar

aybe

inst his chest, eyes fluttering shut. His hea

made her

...run away?" she asked, her

e," Jace sai

intly. "Where

cell service. Or a cabin in the mountains.

re. No fam

ts," he added, m

d them. Zara didn't know how long they sat there, wrapped in something tender and wor

Jace sai

irred.

lling asle

murmured. "

slowly, fingers tracing soothing circles. Zara's body melted deeper into him

were just

gh