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“I think you just made my whole point.”

Christ.

This conversation is going in circles.

And I’m kind of done.

I’m only human.

A human with big feelings for this magnificent young woman.

“How does dating work?” I ask abruptly.

“What?”

“We’ve slept together. Your sister must know?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Do we pretend that we didn’t? Do I drop you off at ten o’clock every night and midnight on weekends? How does this work? I want to be respectful but we’re past the holding hands stage—and your sister knows it.”

“I have to talk to Sydney about the details. I didn’t want to have that conversation until we had this one.”

I chuckle. “That’s fair. Do you want me to go with you or do you want to do it on your own?”

“I think I’ll handle this myself. She and I are close, so I want to make sure I approach this in a way that won’t upset her. Not the sex stuff—she’s fine with that—but actually having one of her babies leaving the nest a little early. She raised me because my mom wanted no part of chasing a toddler. From the time I was about two, Sydney was my full-time caregiver other than when she was at school. I don’t call her mom, but she’s really the only one who’s ever treated me like she is, so I have to be gentle about spreading my wings and flying away from her.”

“Gotcha.”

“And I have a Spanish test in the morning, so I really do need to review before bed.”

“You want me to take you home?”

“I think I need to. Then I can also talk to Sydney, and we can discuss how she feels about sleepovers. I think more on the weekends than anything else, but there’s only two more weeks until finals. Then graduation. And I’ll be yours full-time until you leave.”

“I like the sound of that.”

I glance down at where our hands have been linked this whole time.

Even as we discussed a difficult issue, our bond didn’t waver.

And I’m suddenly a lot less worried.

ELEVEN

Kirsten

I blinkand suddenly I’m a high school graduate.

As I walk across the stage to accept the empty diploma folder from our principal, I hear Sydney, Ford, and the others hooting and hollering. It’s a little embarrassing, but I don’t care. Everyone I love is here.

Kingston Knight and his fiancée, Devyn.

Sam and all the guys from Crimson Edge.

Sasha and Anton.

Everyone from Nobody’s Fool and their significant others.