Chapter 85

Timothy strode toward her, his steps steady, his dark eyes aglow with a gentle, mysterious light.

He leaned down, lifted the blanket, and without a word, scooped her up from the bed into his arms.

His arms were strong, holding her with effortless strength.

Cradled against his broad chest, Jessica felt safe, cocooned in his warmth.

He carried her over to the table where the cake sat, then settled into the chair without letting her go, so she ended up in his lap.

Jessica found herself nestled in his embrace, perched on his thigh-intimate, their bodies close.

With his right arm wrapped around her, Timothy reached under her arm and picked up a box of birthday sparklers from the table.

His other hand fished out a lighter. He lit a sparkler, placed it in her hand, his palm covering hers, and together they touched the flame to the tiny candles on the cake.

As soon as the "2" candle caught, it burst into a spray of tiny sparks, like a miniature firework.

So they were sparkling candles-three of them, all at once, showering the room in soft bursts of light. Timothy drew her closer, his chin resting in the curve of her neck, his voice low and gentle.

"Don't just stare-make a wish."

His sudden tenderness left her mind blank, caught somewhere between disbelief and longing.

For several seconds she couldn't even remember what she wanted to wish for.

down, Timothy covered

wish.

silently make her birthday wish

quiet, unexpected warmth Timothy showed her

but hope—just

tonight had surprised

cancer, she'd thought: if, in the time she had left, Timothy could fall in love with her, she'd have

burned out, Timothy took her hand, and together they cut

room was still bathed in soft, golden light, the atmosphere heavy

the plastic knife meet some resistance in the

to care; he guided her hand to pull the knife free and started

and scooped out a small piece of cake onto a

you eat

gaze was

She shook her head.

have some cake." He handed her the

not taking

do you want me to

on hers, the look in them dark

pressed her lips together,

Timothy picked up a fork, speared a small piece of cake, and brought it to

aroma filled

asleep in the bath, and when she'd woken

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