Verena blinked her eyes open, slowly waking up to the morning light filtering through the curtains. As she shifted, she felt an unusual pressure on her fractured foot.
Bewildered, she looked down, only to find Louis holding her, his arm securely wrapped around her waist, cradling her like a child. A mixture of surprise and confusion crossed her face.
Closing her eyes, Verena took in the unexpected intimacy of the moment. She could feel his steady breath against her neck, the warmth of his body providing an unusual sense of comfort.
'So, this is how it feels to sleep in your partner's arms', she thought, a strange but not unwelcome feeling.
Just as she was getting used to the sensation, Louis, seemingly aware of her wakefulness, broke the silence.
"For how long are you going to pretend like this?" he asked, his voice soft, his lips curling into a teasing smile.
