Page 184 of Ranger's Wildflower
It’s just me and her.
Tessa’s fingers are still curled in my shirt.
Not gripping as tightly now.
Just… holding on.
Like she doesn’t want to let go either.
“You should sit down,” I say quietly.
She gives me the smallest nod.
I guide her to the couch, but when she lowers herself onto it, she doesn’t move away from me. Doesn’t create distance. Doesn’t do any of the careful, guarded things she used to do.
She just looks up at me and says, “Stay.”
Like she already knows I’m not going anywhere.
I sit beside her.
Close.
Closer than I probably should.
Not touching her at first.
Giving her the space to choose.
A few seconds pass in silence.
Then she shifts.
Slowly, carefully, she leans into me and rests her head against my shoulder.
My chest tightens so hard it almost hurts.
I slide my arm around her without a word.
She exhales.
Long. Tired. Like something in her finally lets go.
“You ever feel weird when it’s over?” she asks softly.
“All the time.”
Her cheek stays against my shoulder. “Like your body doesn’t believe it yet.”
“Yeah.”
“That’s how this feels.”
I look down at her. Her face is pale with exhaustion. Her eyes heavy. But there’s something else there too. Something open. Unhidden.
I brush a strand of hair back from her face.
“It’ll hit in waves,” I tell her. “Adrenaline drops, your mind catches up, your body starts replaying everything. Could be tonight. Could be tomorrow.”
