Julian’s Shadow Lingers

The morning had been blissfully normal. Peaceful, even.

Ava woke up to the scent of coffee and the distant hum of soft jazz filtering in from the living room. For a brief, luxurious moment, she stayed curled beneath the covers, letting the warmth of the morning sun kiss her skin.

But the real warmth—the one that made her heart stutter slightly—came from the solid presence beside her.

Ryan.

Still asleep, his arm draped over her waist, his breath slow and steady against her shoulder.

Ava smiled to herself, shifting just slightly so she could turn her head and look at him.

He looked so... uncharacteristically peaceful.

For all his smooth-talking confidence and quick-witted charm, there was something softer about Ryan when he slept—his usually sharp features relaxed, his hair a mess against the pillow.

And he was in her bed. Again.

Not that he'd officially moved in or anything. No, of course not. That would be ridiculous.