When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 184

Nelly’s eyes went wide. She hadn’t seen Jonah’s hug coming at all. One second she was sitting there, the next she was held tight against him, completely caught off guard.

His body was so warm, almost hot, his heartbeat thudding strong and steady against her. She felt her own pulse jump, heat rushing to her cheeks so fast she thought her face must be on fire.

For a few seconds, she just froze, lost for words. Finally she managed a soft, breathless, “Jonah…”

His breath stirred against her ear, slow and even. Nelly tried to pull away, but he only hugged her closer.

“Just a minute,” Jonah said quietly. His voice was like dropping a pebble into the ocean late at night, silent on the surface but sending a ripple deep underneath.

Nelly’s lips parted, her hand hovering uncertainly at his back, but she let it drop to her lap instead.

Soon enough, Jonah let her go. He looked at her, gaze intense. “Don’t make me worry like that again, okay? Promise me.”

“Yeah… okay…” Nelly stammered, not sure what to say or even what she was feeling. Something strange and fuzzy twisted inside her. Jonah’s hug hadn’t seemed awkward for him at all, but her heart was still racing so hard it almost hurt.

She scrambled to buckle her seatbelt, catching a glimpse of her flustered face in the window. That only made her blush harder.

Neither of them spoke for the rest of the drive.

It wasn’t until they pulled into her apartment complex that Nelly remembered she was supposed to be heading back to Brody’s place tonight. But it was late, and Carrie had probably already gone to bed.

“This is all my fault. About the Phillips family situation tomorrow…” Nelly’s voice was small and heavy with guilt. Jonah had gone out of his way to help her, pulling every string he could, but she still couldn’t follow through. Even so, she knew if she had to do it again, she’d make the same choice. She couldn’t have left things the way they were. She never would have been able to sleep.

“Howard’s flying out to Country M early tomorrow. I booked a ticket for the same flight,” Jonah said.

He didn’t get to finish before Nelly shot upright in her seat. “You’re going alone? No way. I’m coming with you.”

“You’re still sick. You need to rest. Let me handle it this time,” Jonah answered, his tone gentle and steady, not the least bit annoyed with her. He’d already talked to Teddy back at the hospital. Since they’d missed their chance to meet up tonight, he figured he might as well go himself.

Jonah had debated bringing Nelly with him, not because he needed her there, but because he didn’t feel right leaving her behind. But if she came, he’d only worry about her health. Plus, there was a lot happening at work. Maybe it’d be better for her to stay.

He kept all that to himself, but Nelly didn’t overthink it. She trusted Jonah completely. Even if she didn’t go, she could still look for Nicholas or try to find another way. It was never good to put all your eggs in one basket anyway.

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