Rory stared at Jasper's stiff, startled expression for a heartbeat before blinking herself fully awake. The haze of sleep evaporated almost instantly.
What did this guy do now? she wondered groggily. Why does he look like he's about to be sentenced to death?
His wide, panicked eyes were fixed on her as if she might explode at any second.
Suppressing a yawn, Rory stretched one arm lazily toward him and spoke in a soft, half-asleep voice,
"Jasper… come here. Hug me."
Jasper froze.
In the brief second that followed, his thoughts spiraled wildly, racing through every possible disaster. He had been certain she would be angry—that she would scold him, order him out of the room, or worse… decide she didn't like him anymore. He had already rehearsed apologies in his head, braced himself for punishment, even imagined quiet exile, sent away without argument.
But none of that came to pass.
