Cherished

26

Eva was outside in the garden a few days later with Kenzie and Bri. There were a few flowers starting to appear with the late spring approaching, and hopefully all the cold behind them.

"Evie," Miles called from the door. He looked nice, wearing dress pants and a white button down. "Can you come here for a second, please?"

She left her friends to go to him. He and Graham were supposed to be at a meeting with the town regarding their market that was opening this Saturday.

"I thought you needed to leave," Eva said, following him inside.

He stopped abruptly, startling her. He gave a rough, unexpected kiss, pulling her tightly to his chest.

He pulled away, leaving her breathless. He grinned, though it was a bit dimmer than usual.

"What's wrong?" she asked, reaching her hand up to brush his cheeks.

"Pierce had a bad dream. He's been pretty upset all morning. Graham and I have to leave, but we were wondering if you would want to keep him company while we are gone."

Eva nodded. "Of course I will."

Eva had been spending most nights with them in their wing, but last night Bri and Kenzie were hanging out in her room, and they all ended up falling asleep. She felt guilty that she wasn't there when Pierce needed her.

Graham was dressed similar to Miles. He was standing by his closet with his arms crossed. He looked pretty upset, too.

"Just go to your meeting before you're late," Pierce said. He must've been changing.

"Miles is fully capable of going on his own. You've been up since three in the morning. Please just sleep for a few hours."

"I'm fine," he insisted, finally stepping out for Eva to see just how worn he looked. She had never seen him so exhausted before, almost haunted. Her heart twisted painfully.

Pierce looked surprised to see her, but he didn't say anything. She caught his frown tightening, and she tried to push away everything that told her that she was invading his space. She wanted to be there for him.

"Graham and I will leave," Miles said. "but Evie is staying."

They knew Pierce was trapped. He would never say or do anything that would suggest Eva couldn't be around them.

Pierce huffed a bit, even gave a frustrated curse under his breath, but he agreed.

"Call us if you need us. Okay, honey?" Graham said, leaning down for a kiss. "We'll be home as soon as we're done."

Eva nodded, watching them go and leaving her with her broody boyfriend.

"Honestly, baby, you don't need to hang around me. Just go back to whatever you were doing. I'm going to try to get a little bit of work done," Pierce said.

"I don't have anything I need to do," Eva said. "Could I read my book while you work?"

He thought about it, nodding slowly.

She went to retrieve her book, sitting with Pierce on his couch while he worked through some emails on his laptop. She covered herself in a warm blanket, curling as close to him as she could without touching him. He didn't offer the affection, so she didn't force it this time. She liked the quiet company.

She read for the better part of any hour, shifting a bit like she couldn't get comfortable.

"Do you think we go sit on your bed?" Eva asked him curiously. "I'm tired of sitting like this. I like to read on my stomach."

That was mostly true. She liked when she didn't have to hold the book out because her arms grew tired.

Pierce didn't seem to think too much of it when they moved to their big bed. She got in the sheets, flipping over to continue reading.

"I got short with Graham," Pierce admitted quietly after several moments. She was surprised that he was starting the conversation.

"I'm sure he understands," Eva said.

Pierce closed the lid of his laptop, setting it on the nightstand.

"I hate the reminder."

"I know the feeling," Eva said back, shutting her book.

Pierce got out of bed so he could get under the blankets with her. He patted the space next to him, extending his arm and she cuddled close. Finally.

"They don't happen very often anymore, but that almost makes them so much worse," he said.

His hand coasted along her back, and she let her lips press to his chest through his shirt. Her eyes were getting heavy, but she tried to resist. She wasn't the one that was supposed to be sleeping.

Pierce eased down from sitting up, trying to muffle his yawn.

---

"I told you," Miles whispered to Graham as they stepped into the bedroom. Eva and Pierce were curled close, fast asleep.

"I know," Graham said. "I just didn't want him to accidentally snap at Eva and make this a bigger issue."

"She's a tough girl," Miles said, taking off his suit. He was putting on pajamas and joining in on the nap.

Graham couldn't resist the urge to join them either. They looked so cute and sweet all together.

Miles and Graham got in on the other side of the bed. Miles turned into Graham who kissed his forehead, rubbing his back and coaxing him to sleep.