“Because she manipulated him.”
“Who cares?” Ethan groans from the corner. “They’re both in prison, where they belong. And the second we were assigned a social worker, she’s been flooded with letters and emails singing your praise from everyone in town.”
Rafael turns to me sharply, his brows knitting together. “What?”
I open my mouth, but Ethan beats me to it. “All of a sudden, Chief Donovan said they didn’t have enough evidence against you on that criminal trespass investigation, so that’s gone too. I’m telling you. You’re like the savior of Connecticut or something. The only reason half the town isn’t in here groveling is that Scarlett forbade visits. But Mrs. Brattle is downstairs, and so is that old guy from the pharmacy. And—”
“Wait, so…” Rafael’s voice falters as his eyes search mine, and I nod, my throat tightening.So our relationship isn’t a problem anymore.
“Steve said no one can challenge my custody of Ethan, even if you’re in my life,” I say.
“Assuming you find a job,” Ethan quips.
“I told you, Mrs. Brattle says they’ll hire me at the newspaper.”
“The newspaper?” Rafael asks, eyes jumping from Ethan to me. “What about the podcast?”
A pang of worry rises in me instantly. Is he confused? “Well, Celeste’s… gone, Gray. And so is the podcast.”
“Seriously, forget about those lunatics,” Ethan interrupts, his eyes darting between me and Rafael like those of a spectator at a tennis match. “It’s time for you two to DTR.”
I glare at him, then turn back to Rafael, checking his expression.
“Ethan, can you give us a second?” he says, eyes never leaving mine.
My brother hesitates, his face twisting with mock concern. “Not to have sex, right? ’Cause you don’t look like you should have sex.”
Rafael’s thumb brushes the top of my hand. “No, not to have sex. I’d like to tell your sister I love her.”
The air shifts. I freeze, my breath catching in my chest. He said it. He actuallysaid it. My heart thunders in my ears, drowning out everything else.It counts. He said it. He loves me.
“Oh. Okay,” Ethan says before he steps toward the door. “I’ll be outside.”
The door closes with a soft click. I can’t tell if the million machines around Rafael are still beeping, because I can’t hear anything at all besides a loud ringing in my ears.
“Hi, Freckles.” His voice is the kind of soft that makes my heart stumble in its rhythm.
“Hi, Gray.”
He shakes his head slowly, as though marveling at something only he can see. “I have no memory of anything past what happened at Booked It, so how is it possible that I missed you so much?”
I cup his cheek. “Not as much as I missed you.”
He gently tugs at my hand. “Give me a kiss.”
My heart clenches, and I’m instantly reminded of the last time he asked me that. That gut-wrenching moment, the way I refused at first, my lips trembling as I fought back tears. I didn’t want to kisshim then—not for the last time. But he’s back now. He’s here, and all I want is to kiss him for the rest of my life. To kiss him until my lips are raw, until time stops, until the world forgets to spin.
I lean forward, the space between us vanishing, but just as my lips are about to meet his, his voice breaks through the fragile quiet.
“Scarlett?”
I pause, my breath hitching. “Yes?”
“I know I’ve hurt you, but I’d really like a last chance.” His smile widens, a little crooked, a little hopeful. It’s the smile that’s always undone me. “This time, IknowI won’t screw it up.”
My heart flutters wildly. “You probably will,” I say, my voice thick with emotion, a watery laugh breaking through. “So how about I don’t give you a last chance?” I can see the question forming on his lips, but I press on. “How about I just give youachance?”
His eyes close, his warm breath brushing over my lips.
