“Thank you,” I whispered. “I don’t know what’s going on with them. I think it’s just friendship. But she’s made life feel like living for him these past few weeks.”
The elevator dinged, and I realized we weren’t going down, we were going up. I gave him a look. “You’re not hogging the emergency landing pad again, are you?”
“We’ll be out of here before the next call. I promise.”
And he was right. By the time the doors slid open, Hugo was already touching down. We ran across the rooftop, climbed in, and in seconds, the city lights blurred beneath us.
This time, I wasn’t scared. I let myself take in the view, the silver ribbon of highway, the glow of Atlanta fading behind us.
A few minutes later, we touched down in a field just outside a small farmhouse and a barn twice its size. Grams and Gramps waved from the porch, their faces splitting into huge smiles. Love radiated off them in a way that made my throat tight.
I climbed out and then turned back, waiting for West. He climbed out behind me, immaculate as ever, nodding once at Hugo before taking my hand. We walked through the grass together, toward the warmth waiting at the porch.
Inside, Gramps and Grams led us through the kitchen and into the living room, their eyes shining with mischief.
And when my gaze landed on the couch, I froze.
Miles and Loxley stood, grinning wide.
“Surprise!” Loxley squealed, throwing her arms around both of us. “We’re finally home.” Her eyes sparkled as she pulled back, glancing between West and me. “And finally ready to figure out whatever the hell is going on between you two.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
WEST
SUNDAY DINNER
The second Mileslaid eyes on me, I knew he saw through me. Through us.
He had that cop intuition, that sixth sense, and the way his gaze flicked between Blue and me made my chest tighten. It was like he knew the truth already—that this marriage wasn’t the whirlwind fairy tale it appeared to be. That it was a carefully constructed lie.
I wasn’t ready to confess. I’d talked myself into never having to. One day, I’d tell my family it hadn’t worked out, that Blue and I had decided to stay friends, and it would all fade into another one of my screwups.
But Miles didn’t call me out. He crossed his arms instead, narrowed his eyes, and said, “You’ve got that girl Mandy working Saturday nights? She drives me fucking crazy.”
“Excuse me?” Blue’s laugh came out choked, uncomfortable. “Mandy does an excellent job.”
I lifted my hand. “Wait, you were in town Saturday?”
“We actually got in Friday,” Loxley said before Miles could answer. “I had a show, but after that, we snuck in and stayed in bed until Saturday night.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “For the record, I stayed in bed. Miles went up to have a beer with Linc. He said you’d probably be there with Blue and he’d kill two birds with one stone.”
“Exactly,” Miles muttered. “I tried letting you know we were back.”
“Oh, hush.” Gram’s swatted at him, shaking his head. “You didn’t tell any of us. Not until tonight.”
The conversation moved on, Gramps confirming Easton was on his way while Jesse stayed home with Max, who wasn’t feeling well. Grams had dinner ready despite Blue and me arriving later than promised, and once Easton came barreling in, hugs were exchanged, greetings made, and before long we were herded toward the dining room.
We hadn’t eaten at the long table in a while. Usually it was the kitchen when just Jesse and Max joined. But with Blue and Loxley added to the mix, we’d outgrown that space. The dining room felt more formal, but just as comfortable.
Easton broke the silence halfway through a loaf of bread. “So, West…” he said, his tone casual, but his eyes sharp when they lifted to mine. “Did you make it out to the house?”
Every fork stilled.
Without Jesse there, the air felt safer to answer, but I still hesitated. Talking about it out loud felt like cracking open a wound. Finally, I nodded, giving him permission to move forward. “I did,” I said quietly. “Held up my end.”
Miles’ voice was rougher than usual when he asked, “How was it?”
I nearly snapped. My instinct was to tell them it was none of their business, that I went, that it was done, and we could allmove the hell on. My jaw flexed, the words sharp and ready, but then Blue’s hand slid across my thigh beneath the table.
