“He’s giving some of his trust fund to Phoebe?”
“Yep.”
“Does she know?”
“According to theTickled Pink Papers, he made her cry over lunch at Ladyfingers. Then they shared an awkward hug at the end of the meal.”
“Oh my God.”
“He’s staying in Tickled Pink. Says he’s not done with whatever he needs to do. Heard Carter’s been released to do whatever he feels like he needs to do too.”
I squeeze my eyes shut.
I will not be jealous of my brother. I will not be jealous of my brother.
“Tavi,” Dylan whispers.
I squeeze my eyes shut harder.
I don’t want him to see me being a terrible person.Again.
“You remember what you told me about cocoa beans growing into trees?” He brushes a kiss to my forehead. “I hate that they hurt you, but I’m so fucking proud of everything you’ve done to turn yourself into that delicious truffle that you are today. You’re fucking amazing, Tavi. So fucking amazing.”
“I love you,” I blurt.
His body sags. “Thank fuck,” he whispers, his voice thick. Then he’s pulling me close, my nose smushed against his soft T-shirt, kissing my hair, my ear, my temple, while his arms tighten around me. “I love you too. So much.Somuch.”
I’m what I would’ve formerly called a disaster. My hair’s a mess. No makeup. I can finally move my arms again, but they’re still tingling from getting blood flow back. I’m ugly-sobbing, because that’s apparently what you do when you realize there’s someone who sees all the not-perfect parts of you and chooses to love you—all of you—not justanywaybutbecausethey know all those not-perfect parts help make up all of who you are.
But I won’t call myself a disaster.
For the first time in my life, I’m simplyreal.
And he sees me.
And he loves me.
Therealme.
I didn’t need to go to Tickled Pink to find my soul.
I needed to go to Tickled Pink to findme.
“Oh my God, are you hurting her?” Naomi shrieks. “I told you to let her sleep! She hasn’t slept in three months! Stop.Stop!”
Dylan freezes. I fling my arm around him and squeeze him tight. “He’s not hurting me,” I sob.
“You’re crying!”
“I’m happy!”
“Oh.” There’s a very long pause. Then—“Is this always what you do when you’re happy?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, this is suddenly complicated. Do I tell you more good news now, or do I wait until you’re not crying?”
Dylan shifts on the bed, turning me so that I can see Naomi while he peers over his shoulder at her too. “Might as well test it. We should know what we’re getting into.”
