Still warm…he’d probably risen only a few moments ago. It was anyone’s guess how long she’d tossed and turned, fighting an unsuccessful battle to silence his words from her mind. At some point, she’d finally surrendered to sleep, but a burdensome lethargy remained embedded in her bones. The sun shone high and bright through the window, an occasional bird shadow darting past the open curtains. She shifted onto her side and settled her hands under her cheek, that same, consistent stream of worry burbling in her mind. Would Dibs even remember? Or had the words only come because he’d been nearly delirious from lack of sleep? What would it mean if he truly did love her? Anxiety flitted through her chest, an exact replica of the birds outside the pane. On so many levels, he’d become everything to her. No part of her regretted following Tiffany’s advice, telling him she wanted more. She’d just never expected so much more. She’d never guessed Dibs would fall in love with her so quickly, nor been prepared for the irrefutable yearning to love him back.
