Chapter 18

Cindy said yes. Sylvan had only hugged her on a whim, but now he didn't want to release his hold. Deep down, he'd been worried that she might have second thoughts once she saw Arthur, who loved her. Cindy tilted her head and caught sight of Sylvan's ears, now bright red. A soft laugh escaped her. "You planning to keep hugging me forever?" she asked. "Celeste isn't around," Sylvan murmured. "Just a little longer, Cindy. It's freezing out." Having basked in the afternoon sun, Cindy's skin was warm. They curled up together in the lounge chair, dozing off side by side. Golden light gilded Sylvan's short, tousled hair, and the dust floating around them gleamed like starlight, swirling gently in the quiet, peaceful space where they slept. Wrapped in each other's arms, they slept for hours. There were always food containers stacked outside the hospital room door. Every time Sylvan walked out, he knocked them over, and when Cindy told him he was wasting food, he just shrugged and claime