“No,” Will said. “I think it’s nice. Besides, I’m just excited that people think I’m good looking enough to pull you as a boyfriend.”

Bay perked up. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” Will said, putting his spoon into the now empty bowl. “You’re handsome. Clean and fresh. Cuddle-worthy, even.”

Bay set down his coffee cup with a thunk. “That is the nicest thing that anyone has ever said to me.”

“Do I need to leave?” I asked. “Give you two a moment?”

“No,” Will said, getting up to put away his bowl and grab more coffee. “We’re good.”

“No shame in our love,” Bay said, fist-bumping Will. “People should witness its glory.”

Will sat a cup of coffee in front of me. “You and Lou need to come into the shop so I can replace your piercings. I assume hers are cracked, too.”

I nodded. “Tomorrow? Lou needs to rest.”

Will grimaced. “I’d rather not wait. If Eva hits again…”

“She’s never hit back-to-back yet,” Bay said. “Right?”

“The key part of that sentence is ‘yet,’” Lou said, collapsing into the chair next to me with a cup of coffee, her free hand automatically resting on my thigh. My heart filled as I took in the sight of her, but it broke a little, too. She was only sore and a little battered now, but last night I kept waking up in a sweat. I kept hearing her scream in my sleep. She was sound asleep every time I woke up. She hadn’t been screaming. It was just me, remembering the wreck.

I had a feeling I’d be reliving that in my nightmares for a long time. “I thought you were going to sleep?”

“I tried to nap. Didn’t work. I’m not sure I’ve ever been this tired.” Lou frowned as she carefully rolled her neck. “I thought I’d be more sore, though.”

This, at least, was one thing I could be happy about. “It’s the bond. You’re sharing a little of my healing ability.”

“Oooo,” Lou said, straightening. “I’m like Wolverine. Quick, let’s jump off something and see if I can heal.”

“I can make you a cape out of a sheet,” Will said. “I’m sure that will help.”

My pulse kicked up. “I know you’re kidding, but please don’t.”

Lou sighed. “You never let me have any fun.” She sipped her coffee. “We can come in later tonight, Will. I’m supposed to take another bath, and after that I might try to nap again. I’m now allowed to sleep for several hours in a row. Just like a real person.”

I leaned over and kissed her temple, unable to keep myself from staying in that spot for a minute and breathing her in. I had come so close to losing her.

I must have let some of my feelings boil over, because Lou squeezed my thigh. “I’m okay.”

And she was, but for how long?

We took another bath and then I put Lou to bed. I’d wanted to make sure she had a real nap, but we were both restless and I couldn’t seem to stop touching her. Reassuring myself that she was okay. I ran my fingers over every inch of skin—claiming every dip and valley. I needed the feel of her in my hands, the taste of her in my mouth. I wanted her scent on my skin.