In the available light, Zane Jennings stepped toward her. He reached out, grabbed her by the wrist, and gave it a gentle pull. "Erin Lowell."
Erin Lowell's heart was racing, her eyelashes trembling. "Yes?"
"Can I hug you?"
'He was making such an outrageous request.'
Erin Lowell's heart trembled, but she didn't answer.
Zane Jennings took another step in her direction. He slowly bent down and, emboldened, rested his forehead on her shoulder, letting half of his weight fall on her.
Erin Lowell instinctively raised her hands to push him away. "Zane."
Sensing her move, he reacted first, raising a hand to press hers down into his palm. "Just for a moment."
Erin Lowell froze, rooted to the spot, utterly still.
He smelled of the wind, a faint trace of smoke clinging to his jacket. The scent quelled the thrilling panic that had just begun to rise in her. Against the wind, her every breath was filled with his presence.
The smell of smoke mingled with the air.
