A whisper from Mitchel, heavy with weariness, broke the silence between them.
âRaegan, I missed you.
â
Mitchel held Raegan close with a tender caution, as if he was mindful of her fragility, his touch light to avoid any discomfort.
Mitchelâs consistent thoughtfulness toward her, even in his own distress, touched a deep chord within Raegan.
Her heart went out to him, all the more because Erick had briefed her on the dayâs grim developments.
The betrayal by Alexis, Henley, Katie, and Luciana â each one of them, who were supposed to be Mitchelâs support, had instead turned their backs on him.
They had unsheathed their daggers, leaving Mitchel to fend for himself in the chill of abandonment.
The coldness he must have endured!
Raegan knew Mitchelâs jest of being homeless transcended the absence of a physical shelter.
It meant being devoid of a sanctuary for the soul.
Holding Mitchel more firmly, Raegan offered her reassurance with a voice soft as a caress, âYou still have me and Janey.
Weâre right here with you.
â
At her words, Mitchelâs posture tensed slightly, a silent acknowledgment of the weight they carried.
Raegan, with her inherent kindness, had once again managed to stir the depths of his heart.
âThatâs why Iâm here,â he whispered softly into her ear.
Within the sanctuary of his embrace, Raeganâs reply came as a muffled affirmation.
Soon after, Mitchel gently lifted her face until their foreheads met, his voice a tender murmur.
âPromise to stay with me, both of you, forever, okay?â
The earnestness in his gaze, star-like and radiant, sent Raeganâs heart into a flurry, compelling her to nod as though spellbound.
Sensing her assent, warmth unfurled in Mitchelâs chest, a sensation akin to his heart being enfolded in the gentle embrace of soft cotton candy.
Mitchel then leaned in for a ki*s, a slow melding of lips that spoke of shared moments and silent promises.
Following their ki*s, he teasingly nipped her lip, his voice husky.
âRaegan, how do you manage to be so incredible?â
Resting against him, still breathless from their passionate ki*sing, Raegan murmured, âBecause you deserve everything good, Mitchel.
You truly do.
â His kindness toward her made her support for him natural, unwavering.
Once inside, Mitchelâs gaze swept the surroundings, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation.
âWhereâs Janey?â
âSheâs at summer camp for the week,â Raegan replied.
A shadow passed over Mitchelâs face at the news, disappointment flickering in his eyes.
Raegan reflected on the dayâs trials Mitchel had faced, including missing out on time with Janey.
Hesitantly, she ventured, âWould you like to get some rest?â
His deep gaze met her offer, prompting a rush of panic in Raegan.
Hastily, Raegan added, âI mean⦠Resting might help you feel better, given everything thatâs happened.
â
Her hands fluttered in the air as she hurried to clarify, âI didnât mean⦠Not in that way, together.
â
Mitchelâs laughter broke through the awkwardness, his response light-hearted.
âHmm, resting sounds like a good idea.
Iâll take a shower first.
â