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Her hands lift slowly and grip my jacket.

Not pushing me away.

Holding on.

“Beau,” she whispers, “I’m falling.”

The words slam into me.

Heat. Fear. Hope.

All of it.

I pull back just enough to look at her. “Then fall. I’ve got you.”

She lets out a sob-laugh and nods fast. “Okay.”

That single word is everything.

I crush her to me, arms wrapping around her like I’m claiming a miracle. Mila clings back, burying her face in my chest, and I hold her like I’ve been waiting my whole life to.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers against me.

“Don’t,” I growl, kissing her temple. “Don’t apologize for being scared. Just don’t run.”

“I won’t,” she promises, voice thick. “I won’t.”

I lift her chin, needing to see her say it.

Mila’s eyes meet mine—raw, brave, real.

“I’m staying,” she says.

My chest goes tight.

“Say it again,” I demand, because I’m greedy.

Mila’s mouth trembles into a smile. “I’m staying, Beau.”

A sound rips out of me—half laugh, half groan.

I kiss her.

Hard.

Not polite.

Not gentle.

A kiss that saysmineandyoursandthank Godall at once.

Mila makes a soft sound and melts into me, hands fisting my jacket like she’s anchoring herself to the truth.

When I pull back, my voice is wrecked. “Come home.”

She nods, dazed. “Okay.”

Back at the cabin,I make her sit first.