He’s letting me see though.He’s keeping me here.
Doesn’t he know I’m not going anywhere?Not now, not ever.
“I got the story,” I say, squeezing his hand.
Today has been an adrenaline rush I’ll be happy to put behind me, but at least it wasn’t for nothing.
The EMT finishes up and moves to another patient.
Sterling stands.“I don’t care about the story.”
He reaches up, cupping my cheeks with his palms; they’re warm and steady, and I’ve watched them write treatises that tear down powerful people, but right now, he’s gently holding me.
“I’ve spent my life putting the story first, but watching them take you … Mia, I’ve been cruel to us both.I’m sorry.I know you’ll be angry—you deserve to be—but if?—”
Ridiculous man.
Grabbing the lapels of his jacket, I pull him down into a kiss.
* * *
Make Your Choice:
awww, how cute (epilogue now, please)(go to 89)
no, I want more!(go to 75)
go back(go to 40)
“I see you still enjoy tormenting your brother,” Lucky says, hiding his chuckle into his wineglass.
Meanwhile, Louis sits at the head of the table, pink at the tips of his ears.The conversation around us has returned to full volume, but I keep my voice low to save him more embarrassment.
“It’s character building,” I say.“He’s head of this family now that our parents have retired.He needs to be able to keep calm in the face of frustration.”
It’s a lie; I simply like teasing my older brother until his face matches the drapery in his room.Lucky smiles knowingly.
“Do you still disappear into the forest when he bothers you?”
The mention tickles me.“I can’t believe you remembered that.”
“I forget nothing you’ve shared,” he says, and his gravity pulls my heart ever closer.“You spend summers in the fields and your winters in the study.Which brings me to this.”He passes me a scroll.There’s no room to open it, so Lucky explains, “It’s a map of the new world.Now that the seas are safe, I’ve been helping to document the new routes.Wait until you see the ship, Mia.It’s fantastic.And the water …” He clasps a hand to his chest.“When the light hits it in the morning, you’ll swear you’re still dreaming.”
Sterling is wrong; this is the boy I remember.Spirited, teasing.A smile that rivals the sun.
“Sailing suits you.”
“It’ll suit you too, I think.”
You suit me,I want to say.
Sterling, who has spent the evening acting as a silent sentry on my other side, leans forward to address Lucky.“I’ve heard there are rapids by the south islands.How did you navigate the area without taking damage?”
I could hug him again for putting in the effort.I know it’s only because I asked, but it still means everything to me that he would.
“Who says we didn’t?”Lucky replies, a teasing glint in his eyes.He tucks a lock of hair behind his ear.“I won’t lie; it was difficult, but I have an excellent crew, and they deserve all the credit for delivering me in one piece.”
“What was it like?”
