Jared watched her, cradling her sleeping form in his arms, and for the first time, felt something slip between his fingers. She was right there, warm and real, yet somehow unreachable. Jerica felt farther away than ever, like a shoreline retreating with the tide, leaving him stranded on shifting sands he could no longer control.
"Is your room comfortable?" Alex's voice broke through Jared's thoughts.
Jared gave a polite nod, his gaze unmoving from Jerica's face. "Yes, Mr. Walsh handled everything perfectly."
He shifted, preparing to lift her, but Jerica stirred. Her lashes fluttered as her eyes opened, disoriented. When she realized who was holding her, she drew a quick breath, squirming away to stand, though her balance wavered.
"Jared!" she gasped, looking caught off guard. "Dinner—I—I didn't even serve it yet—"
"Mr. Walsh already took care of that," Jared interjected coolly, his voice controlled. "And he's prepared our room. Let's go."
