Chapter 71

The world flew by in a blurry haze as I watched the last of the sun’s rays on the canopy of the trees. It seemed as though a million butterflies had hatched in my stomach. Every emotion rippled through me as I felt Preston’s mark tingling like Pop Rocks on my shoulder.

I glanced over at him and studied the lines of his face. It was as if I’d never seen him before. He had been someone else, a distant person or relative. Yet now, he was a part of me. It felt as if I’d spent my whole life in the dark, and he was the light I’d been looking for.

“Stop staring,” he muttered as he kept his attention on the road.

“I’m not staring. I’m observing.”

“And your conclusion?” he asked, shifting his eyes briefly at me.

“I love you.”

“That’s it, huh? Just you love me?” he asked. Cillian curled his fingers into mine and drew my hand to his chest. He let out a heavy sigh. The sound reminded me of the noise he gave after a satisfying meal. It was the sound of him being at ease.

“Are you okay?” I a