Chapter 20

• Zander returned to her side, his expression resolute. Without a word, he scooped her up into his arms once again, and Aria felt a rush of warmth mixed with apprehension. “You need a shower,” he said simply, his voice steady as he carried her toward the bathroom.
• Aria’s heart raced, a mix of shyness and uncertainty flooding her senses. The idea of being so vulnerable in front of him was daunting. She wanted to protest, to push him away, but a deeper part of her yearned to trust him, to believe that he might genuinely want to help her.
• As they entered the bathroom, the bright light illuminated the space, making it feel almost welcoming. Zander set her gently down on the edge of the tub, his hands lingering just a moment longer than necessary. “I’ll help you,” he said, his tone softening as he reached for the faucet to turn on the water.