Page 79 of Break Me

"That I actually got you to marry me."

She steps into my side and holds the phone out in front of us. "Smile."

"I am smiling."

She tips her head, pretending to study me. "You're smirking."

"Close enough."

The shutter clicks. She looks down at the screen, and her smile softens. "Perfect."

"Send it to me."

She laughs. "We're standing right next to each other."

"I know."

A second later, my phone buzzes.

Raven: photo attached

I open the message, and the selfie fills my screen.

She's looking at me instead of the camera.

I'm looking at her.

I slip my phone back into my pocket and take her hand.

"Ready to go home, Mrs. Morgan?"

"Lead the way."

Raven

The cabin comes into view just as the light begins to soften. Late afternoon spills gold through the branches, warming the wood and catching on the windows. The place looks different now. Not because anything has changed—but because I have. I’m married. The word settles in me as we slow, heavy and thrilling all at once.

This isn’t just a cabin anymore.

This is where we’ll wake up together. Where I’ll learn which floorboard creaks and which window sticks in the winter. Where I’ll leave my shoes by the door, and one of Sam’s hoodies will stay draped over the back of the sofa because I’ll keep stealing it and never put it back. I can see everything so clearly. Curtains hanging from the windows instead of bare glass, flowers on the table, my things woven into his until the house feels claimed.

Until it’s ours.

Sam eases the bike to a stop, the engine cutting off. I start to smile, but then I see him.

My father stands near the porch, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, posture too still to be casual. The note I left him is folded once in his grip.

My heart stutters.

Sam's posture changes almost imperceptibly. His hand settles over mine where it's wrapped around his waist, steady and reassuring.

He cuts the engine and swings off first.

“How’d you find us?” Sam asks, voice even.

My father’s eyes stay on me. “Mouse,” he says simply.

Of course.