Chapter 123

Melanie’s POV

My eyelids were staging a riot, but I slapped them open. Shower. I desperately needed to shower, and then maybe—just maybe—I could collapse back into bed and re-enter dreamland.

With the grace of a newborn giraffe, I heaved myself out of bed. My feet hit the floor, and I yelped, grabbing the nightstand like it was a life raft in an ocean of Jell-O. My legs felt like two limp noodles. Why did the world insist I move after midnight?

Tentatively, I shuffled toward the bathroom, arms outstretched for balance. My knees bent as if I were about to catch a basketball—or in my case, fall flat on my face. I flicked open the bedroom door and took one step into the hall. Then one of my knees staged a mutiny and folded under me. Cue another colorful curse.

Before I even realized I was going down, warm, strong arms cradled my waist and held me upright.

“Easy,” Asher murmured in my ear.

My cheeks flamed hotter than a popped pepper. That was