Hailee's POV
My heart stopped the moment I heard his name. Dane.
I froze completely, my body stiffening against Nathan's warmth as the soft knock echoed again in the room. My breath caught in my throat, and I could feel Nathan's arm tighten around my waist protectively.
Why was he here? Right now?
I pulled back slightly to look at Nathan, but his expression was unreadable, his jaw tight, his dark eyes locked on the door like it had personally offended him. I could feel the heat of his irritation rolling off him.
"Hailee," he murmured, his voice low, as though warning me not to move.
But I couldn't help it—I shifted slightly under the blanket, my nerves fraying. Dane was standing on the other side of that door, and something inside me… broke.
I didn't want him to see me like this.
I didn't want him to see us like this.
Nathan noticed. He always noticed. His grip tightened on my hip, pulling me back into his chest like he was staking his claim without words.
