Safety Is a Person

"I used to think safety was a place. Turns out, it's a person who makes me feel like I can breathe."

I jolted awake like my brain had just remembered a million things at once.

For a second, I couldn't figure out where I was.

Soft sheets. Warm sunlight slanting through blinds

Dominic was still asleep beside me, one arm draped across my waist.

He looked…different when he slept. Softer. His dark lashes rested against his cheeks, his mouth slightly parted. He was even snoring a little.

The kind of sleep that only comes after a long night of emotional unraveling….and possibly ice cream overdose.

My chest tightened.

God. I felt safe.

I didn't want to move.

But the world was already calling.

I twisted slowly, careful not to wake him, and slid my hand toward my phone on the nightstand. The screen lit up.

Friday, 7:02 AM.

Shit.

My heart skipped.