Chapter 153
The bump must have really hurt.
Charlotte leaned into him, one hand pressed against her forehead, the other gripping his arm. Her eyes were red at the corners, and she looked so pitiful that it made your heart ache.
Anthony’s eyes darkened. He took a steadying breath and, regaining his composure, sat up straight.
He slid his big, strong hand under her arm and gave a gentle lift. Charlotte landed in his lap like a little kitten, soft and light.
For a moment, they just stared at each other. It felt like time had hit pause. The air turned awkward, thick with something neither of them could quite name.
Anthony held her in place, his brow knitted and his usually calm eyes fixed on her delicate face. He looked almost startled. Was the pain what brought her back to her senses? Why else was she staring at him like that?
Just as Anthony was about to explain himself, Charlotte’s eyes fluttered shut. She leaned in closer, her cheek pressed against his chest.
In less than five seconds, her gentle breaths brushed against his ear. She’d fallen asleep.
Anthony looked down at her closed eyes and let out a soft, helpless smile. He moved her carefully, laying her head on the pillow, and began to ease her hand off his neck, tucking it under the blanket.
But the second his hand left, Charlotte grew restless. She started reaching out, searching for his hand, her forehead dotted with anxious sweat.
Anthony frowned and quickly offered his hand again. The way she grabbed it, like it was her lifeline, made something click in his mind. His eyes grew thoughtful.
He remembered the first time she came to his house. When she fell in the garden, she had clung to his hand and immediately calmed down. Every time she visited his room, she would only sleep soundly if she held onto his hand. Even loosening her grip a little would make her look so anxious.
Anthony understood now. She wasn’t attached to him. She was attached to his hand.
So, what did that make him? A security blanket? Medicine? He couldn’t figure out why she was like this.
For a moment, Anthony was at a loss.
He let out a quiet sigh, brought his other hand up, and gently brushed the messy hair from her forehead. His fingers lingered on her cheek, and his gaze softened with
affection.
“To have someone this adorable be attached to you, even if it’s just your hand, is still something to be thankful for.”
Once Charlotte was sleeping deeply,
Anthony gently slipped free and headed for the bathroom. He turned
on the tap and let the cold water run over his head. One hand braced against the wall, he looked athis reflection in the mirror and let out a wry, resigned smile.
After breakfast, Anthony drove Charlotte to the front of Vanguard High School.
As she was getting out of the car, Anthony grabbed her wrist. He opened her bag, slipped in two packs of snacks and a bottle of milk.
“Got a test today?”
He didn’t let go. There was a lazy, teasing smile on his usually serious face, and it was honestly a little dizzying.
“Yeah.” Her reply was sleepy, and she didn’t pull away from his grasp.
Anthony remembered the night before, how she’d clung so tightly to his hand refusing to let go even as he carried her to her room. His eyebrow arched, his gaze falling to their joined hands, a smile tugging at his
mouth.
“Lottie, do you like my hand that much?”
At that, Charlotte slowly turned to look at him. Her pretty, delicate face was
completely calm.