WADDLE JESS

292 Nouchers

Later that evening, as everyone lounged in the living room, basking in the warmth of good food and the glow of family, Luke leaned closer to me. His lips brushed against my ear as he whispered, "The doctor gave us the go-ahead."

I blinked at him, confused, tilting my head to look up at him. "What?"

Instead of answering, he wiggled his brows at me, which was so unlike Luke-usually so serious and broody-that I couldn't hold back the laughter that bubbled up. My laughter startled him, making his frown deepen, and that only made me laugh harder. I cupped his face, leaning in to kiss him softly. "How would that even work?" I whispered against his lips.

Luke smirked the kind that sent a warm shiver down my spine. "I have a few ideas," he murmured, his voice low and teasing.

Then, with the most exaggerated stretch and yawn, he stood. "Josh, man, I need sleep before rehab starts tomorrow. And so do you. Thanks for everything, Laura."

Josh waved him off with a grin, and Laura offered a warm smile, clearly amused by the theatrics. Luke reached down to pull me to my feet, and as I stood, he draped his arm around my shoulders, his fingers intertwining with mine.

"Goodnight!" I called over my shoulder as we made our way out.

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echoing in the

hurt. But navigating this felt like uncharted territory, and despite my hormones being all over the place

worse, what if Luke took one look

the guilt and self-consciousness simmer down as I turned the shower handle all the way to cold. The icy spray shocked

After a moment, I stepped out, grabbed a towel and

wwwwwww

the door just as I wrapped the towel around me. I jumped slightly, startled, but he didn't seem fazed. The bedroom behind him was dimly lit, the flicker of candlelight casting soft shadows

he said, leaning casually against the doorframe, his grin mischievous and impossible to resist. "I surrender. But the least I can do is

at him, my resolve crumbling at the look in his eyes. His grin widened as he

WADDLE

me toward the house next door. There was something about the way his touch lingered and the way he leaned into me as we walked that

think about that?"

by my outrage, and leaned down to kiss the top of my head. "Doctor said it's good preparation, you know, for when the time comes," he teased,

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