16

It was still dark out, but I knew, all too soon, dawn would begin and our night would end. I wasn’t sure I would get another night like the one we had. Dee had been unusually defenseless, and I had taken full advantage of it.

And I wasn’t done yet.

“Since it’s obvious neither of us is going back to sleep and we’re being all honest, I have a question for you, girlfriend of mine.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You can stop calling me that.”

“Nope. You agreed.”

“What is your question?” She huffed, tossing down the drumstick and wiping her fingers.

“What about your childhood, Dee? I know you didn’t have it easy.”

“No, I didn’t. All my parents did was argue. My mother was unstable, and my father was absent a lot—even before he left. I tried to protect Cami as best I could.”

“Who protected you?”

“No one, I guess.”

I wanted to tell her I would protect her for the rest of her life, but she wasn’t ready to hear those words. I took the plate between us, placing it on the coffee table. I shifted close