Chapter 88. Keep Quiet

ARDEN

How did it happen that we were on our way to Cade’s house?

It wasn’t exactly planned. We still had three more days before classes resumed, and I thought we’d spend them quietly in his own house. But then his parents insisted—his mom wanted to cook dinner, and his dad mentioned something about Cade being gone too long and missing family meals. I tried to politely decline, but Cade had already said yes before I could even open my mouth.

Now, here we were, on the road, just the two of us in the backseat while his parents sat up front. Cade held my hand the entire ride. My fingers were cold, but his were warm and steady, wrapping over mine like it was second nature. I leaned my head against his shoulder, watching the trees blur past the window.

“It’s okay,” he murmured softly, his lips brushing the top of my head. “Don’t be nervous. I’m here.”

I smiled faintly, closing my eyes. “I’m not nervous,” I whispered back.

And I wasn’t—not in the way he