32

“Congratulations, Night,” she whispered. “I’m so happy for you and Bryn.”

I hugged her back. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed her affection. It felt like years had passed since the last time we were so close with each other. “Thanks, Tav. Have fun tonight, okay?”

She nodded, and when she stepped back, she was smiling shyly. “We’ll see ourselves out.”

I carefully scooped Bryn into my arms. She moaned slightly, leaning her head against my arm. She felt so small and light in my arms, it was difficult to envision that she’d one day have a fuller, rounder stomach. The thought almost made me laugh because it was so different from how she looked now.

I helped her out of her dress and gently put her in bed. As I pulled away, my shirt caught on something. I turned, and it was Bryn holding the hem of my shirt between her fingers, her blue-gray eyes peering up at me through long dark lashes.

“Stay,” she whispered.

I smiled. The expression on her face, sleepy but insistent, made my heartbeat