"Promise me," Charlotte breathed, her voice barely holding together as she wiped at her tears. "Promise me you'll never leave me again." Her chin trembled, fragile with fear, and he nodded immediately almost like a chastened child desperate to soothe her.
"I promise," he rasped.
She threw her arms around him, clinging tight, and he returned the embrace just as fiercely. As he shut his eyes, the sharp ache lodged deep in his chest began to loosen, easing little by little. His hand moved gently along her back, steadying her as her sobs softened.
Then, suddenly, he felt it a presence. The unmistakable weight of someone's gaze.
His eyes snapped open, locking onto the source and he went completely still.
Charlotte pulled away from him, rising onto her toes to press a quick kiss against his cheek. Without warning, she darted off toward Dominique, who was already shaking his head as if he'd expected exactly this.
