Page 69 of Dallas Rivals

“Draco,” she replies with a quiet laugh. “I guess it was the easiest one to find.”

I glance upward. The sky is so full of stars it looks dusted in glitter. To me, it feels like home, the place I go to in my head whenever I dream about peace.

Only this time, Cala’s here. And somehow, that doesn’t seem like such a bad alternative.

I watch her as she gazes up at the sky, the same kind of reverence in her eyes that I feel in my chest.

“You talk about your grandmother a lot,” I say. “Were you two close?”

“She was my best friend.” Her smile softens, though I can see her body trembling under the blanket, her legs pressed against the cold floor of my balcony. Guilt knots in my chest.

“She gave me the necklace you found in the grass,” she adds, brushing her fingers over it. That’s when I notice her hand trembling too, but in her case, it’s from the cold.

“Come on,” I say, getting to my feet.

I reach out my hand, and she takes it tightly. The warmth of my room hits us the second we step inside. The bedside lamp is on, probably her doing.

The clock reads three in the morning.

“Do you want some water? Something to eat? I think Eliza baked cookies for tomorrow.”

I shake my head and gently pull her hand toward the bed.

“Sleep. It’s late.”

I can see the questions flickering across her face when she realizes I’m guiding her to my bed, not hers.

“And you?” she asks softly.

“I can’t sleep again. But you get some rest. You’ve got a few hours left.”

She grabs my other hand and tugs me toward her.

“Try.”

I groan under my breath, but I give in—like I always do with her—and slide under the sheets. She crawls in beside me, curling up against my back, her hand resting on my waist, her leg slipping between mine.

I close my eyes—and let myself fall.

I’m so comfortable in this bed.

The sheets are soft, the pillow feels like it’s hugging me back with real love.

You know that look a woman gives a slice of chocolate cake? That’s exactly how this pillow makes me feel—completely adored.

I’m relaxed, rested, and… oddly happy.

Bad omens.

I check the clock.

“Oh no!”

I jump up, but my legs are way slower than my brain.

He stirs beside me, startled.

“What’s wrong?”