I swallowed hard against my tight throat. “I don’t know if I can stop it. The guilt. The fear…”
Her face crumpled. “You can, baby. And even though you’re scared, I think that Skye may be the one person who you need.” She smiled sadly. “Having a partner who understands what you need makes things incredibly easier.”
“But what if she doesn’t want to be my partner?”
“It’s a risk you have to take. The best things in life are usually the things that cost the most. And that girl, that woman—” She shook her head, her smile growing. “She is worth her weight in gold.”
Her words sat heavy in my chest, but not in a negative way. More like something had settled—like the truth had finally sunk in. Still, I didn’t know how to undo years of guilt or grief in a single conversation.
But I nodded. “Thanks, Mom.”
Her smile was soft, eyes glistening. “I love you, Fox.”
“I love you too,” I said.
Setting down her coffee cup and book, she stood, holding her arms out for a hug. I straightened, arms wrapping around her as the warmth of her body pressed close. I let myself be held the way I hadn’t been since I was a kid.
And for a moment, I didn’t feel broken.
Just loved.
She squeezed me tight, then stepped back and cupped my cheek. “You’ll figure it out,” she said. “I have faith in you. And in her.”
I managed a small chuckle. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
She winked. “Anytime. Good luck, sweetheart.”
I smiled, but the moment slipped too fast.
“Hey,” I asked as she turned to pick up her book. “You’re sure you haven’t seen Skye this morning?”
She shook her head. “Not since last night. I figured she was still asleep.”
My stomach twisted—not sharply, but enough to pull at my worry. “She wasn’t in the room when I woke up, and she’s not answering my texts.”
Mom tilted her head. “Maybe she needed to get out for a bit. You two have had a heavy few days.”
“Yeah.” I glanced down at my phone, unlocking it with a quick swipe. Still no reply.
I typed a new message.
You okay? Let me know where you are. I want to make sure you’re all right.
I stared at the screen for a few seconds after hitting Send, waiting for the bubbles to pop up. Nothing.
A low hum started at the base of my spine. Something uneasy. Something I couldn’t quite name.
Where was she?
And why did it feel like something was wrong?
30
Skye
Ididn’tgobacktothe bed-and-breakfast.
Instead, I drove aimlessly through the sleepy morning streets of Ember Hollow. The soft-gray sky allowed wisps of light to filter through. A few people were out walking dogs or heading to work, but it all felt distant.
