Page 109 of Forged

For a second, I watch Gabriel process the offer. His expression doesn’t change much, but there’s a flicker of something thoughtful behind his eyes.

I stand and nudge his shoulder gently. “You don’t have to go home tonight.”

Gabriel pauses for another moment before his features relax.

“In that case,” he says, standing, “I’d like to stay.”

Lars stands as well, stretching once before turning off the remaining lights in the living room.

“Good,” he says calmly. “Let’s go to bed before she falls asleep out here.”

“I’m not that tired,” I protest as I slide off the couch.

The room is dim when we reach the bedroom, the soft glow of the bedside lamp spilling across the floor in a warm circle of light. I push the door open and step inside first, already tugging my sweater over my head as I move toward the bed.

The room carries the quiet familiarity of a place I’ve begun tothink of as ours. Lars’ watch sits on the nightstand beside the lamp. One of his books lies open where he left it last night. The curtains are pulled halfway across the windows, leaving the city lights to shimmer through the glass.

I slip beneath the covers and settle into the center of the mattress, beneath the cool sheets while the two of them linger near the foot of the bed.

For a moment neither of them moves. I glance up at them.

“Well?” I ask, teasing. “Are you both going to just stand there or are you going to come cuddle with me?”

Lars lets out a quiet laugh before reaching for the hem of his shirt. He pulls it over his head and drops it on the chair near the dresser, then shucks off his pants before he crosses the room and climbs into bed behind me, the mattress dipping beneath his weight.

Gabriel kicks off his shoes, shrugging out of his shirt and taking off his pants. He folds them neatly, placing them on the dresser before sliding beneath the covers on the other side of the bed.

Lars shifts behind me until his arm settles comfortably around my waist, his hand resting against my stomach. I feel the warmth of him, the familiar steadiness of his presence anchoring me.

Next to me, Gabriel lies on his side facing us, one arm tucked beneath the pillow while he studies the ceiling for a moment before letting his gaze drift back toward us.

The three of us remain still, adjusting to the simple reality of the arrangement. I turn my head toward Gabriel.

“You look like you’re still deciding if this is a good idea.”

Gabriel exhales softly. “Just admiring the view.”

“Come closer, Gabriel,” Lars says quietly behind me.

The air is quiet. The warmth of two bodies surrounds me in a way that should feel strange, but instead it feels so right it almost scares me.

My hand roams until my fingers brush Gabriel’s wrist. Hestills before turning his hand over so his palm rests against mine. Lars’ thumb traces a slow line along my hip beneath the blanket. I feel safe, surrounded and so fucking happy.

After a few minutes, Gabriel speaks again.

“I’m not used to being in bed with other people just to sleep.”

The corner of my mouth lifts. “It’s something we’ve been getting used to the past few weeks too.”

Lars moves behind me, his arm settling more comfortably around my waist. “It’s nice, though. You’re always welcome to stay, Gabriel.”

“Thank you,” Gabriel whispers.

I grasp Gabriel’s hand a little tighter before sleep takes me under.

Gabriel lies on his side,breathing slowly with one arm tucked beneath the pillow. Neomi adjusts beside me, her hair brushing my chin as she presses closer in her sleep. My arm is wrapped loosely around her waist, her warmth familiar against my side.

Across the mattress, Gabriel stirs. His eyes open slowly before landing on us. For a second he looks almost disoriented, the way people do when they wake up somewhere unfamiliar. Then recognition settles in.