“No, it’s fine,” I said, walking farther into the room and embracing the memories rather than fighting them.
Despite having almost died in this very room—and being in a coma—I’d had some pretty great moments in here, too. Snuggling with Trent in bed, whispering how much we loved each other, almost having sex, talking about our future…
I approached the bed and dragged my fingers across the comforter, unable to successfully push back against the memory of how I’d snuck out of bed while Trent slept, how I’d crept through the cabin like some criminal. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, wishing yet again I could go back in time and redo so much about that night.
“Hey,” Trent whispered. He slid his arms around my stomach and hugged me from behind, his breath warm against my ear. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
I leaned against him. “Yeah.”
Despite the mistakes I’d made that night—and I’d made more than one—everything was working out the way it was supposed to, and we were going to have an eternity together. I needed to stop dwelling in the past.
Gently, Trent spun me so I was facing him. His expression was full of compassion, and his eyes were bordering on dark. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” he asked.
I laughed and rested my forehead against his chest. “Did we do the right thing?” I asked. “Giving Abby’s memories back? She was pretty upset.” I lifted my head and met Trent’s gaze.
“Right or wrong, it’s done now,” he said. “And if it’s too much for her, I can always wipe her memories again.”
“Yeah, I told her the same thing,” I said and snaked my arms around him. “I think you’re just eager to kiss her again.” I smirked.
He let out a surprised laugh. “I’m pretty sure that was more painful for me than it was for you,” he said, raising a brow, daring me to disagree.
“Was it?” I asked, my voice suddenly uneven with insecurity. “I mean, you didn’t actually like kissing her, did you?”
“No,” he said adamantly. “Everything about kissing her was wrong. I tried to convince myself I was kissing you, but knowing I had to focus on her memories, that was impossible. She didn’t feel the same as you always do.”
I tilted my head. “What?”
“You feel a certain way in my arms, like you just… fit. She doesn’t,” he said. “And she doesn’t smell like you, either. Or taste like you. Her heart doesn’t sound like yours.”
“Okay, I get the point,” I said with a satisfied smile. “I just hope she and Isach can work through this.”
“I’m sure they will,” Trent said, slowly lowering his head until his mouth was poised above mine. His eyes darkened a little more, his intentions clear.
My heart kickstarted, and my breath hitched as I leaned closer, eager for him to kiss me.
“Is that all that’s on your mind?” he asked.
“Well, now I’m thinking about you kissing me,” I said.
He smiled, and then his lips landed on mine in a soft, hungry kiss. My eyes fluttered closed, and I moved my arms up to circle his neck, my fingers splaying in his hair. He groaned, the sound rumbling through me, and I was suddenly very grateful we were alone. Well, sort of. Abby and Isach could come upstairs at any moment, but for right now, it was just me and Trent.
“That’s what I meant,” he whispered. “When I kiss you, your heart trips over itself. Hers didn’t do that.”
A sense of excitement shot through me at his admission. He really did have that effect on me, and I couldn’t hide it even if I wanted to. “Are you sure you have to go camping with your dad and brothers this weekend?” I asked.
“Yes,” he grumbled. “But trust me, I’d much rather be with you.”
“Whitney would probably kill me if I tried to back out of her girls’ weekend anyway,” I said with a smile.
Even though I hated the idea of being away from Trent all weekend, I was excited to spend a few days with my friends. I couldn’t remember the last time all of us had hung out, and truth be told, girl time always helped put my life into perspective. In fact, not having to think about the Zoya or Ivy was sounding more appealing by the second.
“How much time do you think we have?” I asked, my gaze darting toward the bed, then back to Trent.
He grinned, then scowled. “Not enough. Abby’s on her way up here right now,” he said.
My shoulders slumped. So much for having some time with Trent before he took off for the weekend. A moment later, Abby knocked on the door.
“Yeah?” I called, reluctantly stepping out of Trent’s arms.
Abby entered, her face red and her eyes bloodshot from crying. My heart ached at the sight of her like that. Guilt stabbed at me—I’d caused that. If I hadn’t insisted on giving back her memories… but the alternative was much worse.
“Can we please go now?” she asked, her bottom lip trembling.
“Of course,” I said, glancing at Trent, who now had his truck keys in hand. “I assume you want to ride home with us?”
She nodded and hugged herself. “I told Isach I needed some time,” she mumbled.
“Of course,” I said again, at a loss for anything helpful to say. “Let’s go.”
“I HAVE A QUESTION,” Karina said. Her voice was always so soft. I had to strain to hear her most of the time. “If you could know your future, would you want to?”
I tilted my head, studying her. I hoped she wasn’t going to tell everyone she was psychic. Of course, they’d probably think she was joking, but I had hoped this weekend would be normal, just a group of friends hanging out.
“No way.” Abby shook her head. “Why would anyone want to know their future?”
It was Saturday night, and we—me, Abby,
