Ellie POV
Nolan had been standing in front of the mirror for far too long.
Not admiring himself—he never did that—but staring at his reflection like it might challenge him to a fight if he looked away first. His shoulders were tense beneath his shirt, jaw set, posture rigid in that way that meant he was already preparing for battle.
I watched him from the edge of the sitting room, curled into one of the armchairs with my legs tucked beneath me.
“You’re going to wear a hole through the glass,” I said lightly.
He blinked, as if only just realizing I was there. “Hmm?”
I sighed and stood, crossing the room until I was behind him. I slid my arms around his waist, resting my cheek between his shoulder blades.
“You’re wound tighter than a bowstring,” I murmured. “If you don’t relax, you’re
