Blinded

Chapter 21

Clarence POV
Sunlight broke through the cream linen curtains, slicing soft lines across the living room floor. The whole house smelled like vanilla, clean linen, and something faintly floral—something distinctly Kayla.

Even her space had a presence. Girly but chill. Natural tones everywhere—white, taupe, warm beige—and little pops of pink in fuzzy throws and candles that hadn't even been lit but still scented the room.

I blinked against the light and sat up slowly, the blanket slipping off my chest. My neck was sore from sleeping on her couch, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I turned, and there she was.

Kayla lay curled up on the opposite end, still asleep, one hand tucked under her cheek. Her curls had slipped from the ponytail she tried to tie up the night before, now framing her face like a halo. Her lips parted slightly, and she looked peaceful—vulnerable, even. A version of her most people never got to see.

Goddamn.

I swallowed hard and dragged my hand down my face.

The temptation was real. Always was with her. But that wasn't why I was here. I reminded myself of that as I unlocked my phone and saw a new message waiting for me.

Ariana:
"You forgot to tell me goodnight. That's wild."

I smirked.

Ariana. She was cool. Real chill. Naturally beautiful—the kind of girl who didn't need a filter, didn't wear makeup, but had just enough sass in her to keep things interesting. We'd been talking more lately. Video calls. Little flirty comments back and forth. She wasn't Kayla—but maybe that was the point.

Me:
"Good morning, I fell asleep on the couch like an old man. You good?"

A few seconds later, the message turned to "read," and then she started typing.

Before I could respond, Kayla shifted. She let out a soft sigh, her lashes fluttering before she turned onto her back, a strand of curls falling over her cheek. I reached over, brushing it gently out of her face before I could stop myself.

She didn't wake.

I leaned back again, letting out a breath, trying not to think too much about how right it felt being here. In her space. Watching over her like this.

My phone buzzed again.

Ariana:
"Lame. But I'll let it slide. What you got planned today?"

I was about to reply when Kayla stretched out slowly, eyes blinking open.

"Mmm... what time is it?" she mumbled, her voice still husky with sleep.

"Little after nine," I said.

She rubbed her eyes, then sat up, yawning. "Damn. I didn't even mean to fall asleep down here."

I watched her yawn again, hoodie slipping slightly off her shoulder. My eyes lingered for half a second too long before I forced myself to look away.

"It's cool," I said. "You needed it."

She looked over at me, her smile lazy but warm. "Thanks for coming yesterday. I know I was being dramatic."

"You weren't," I said. "You were overwhelmed. It happens."

She nodded, then stood to stretch, her shirt rising just enough to show that toned little V-line again.

Jesus.

I cleared my throat, eyes back on my phone.

But the image stayed. Burned in my mind. And even though Ariana was cute, chill, and might've been better for me...