Kitty nodded. “Like if he just stays long enough, you’ll give up.”
“I won’t,” I said immediately.
“We know that,” Kitty said. “But he doesn’t.”
Meri leaned forward slightly. “Which means we stop letting him corner anyone.”
I blinked.“Anyone?”
“All of us,” Kitty said. “Because today it’s you, tomorrow it’s someone Meri or I.”
Meri nodded. “We make it a rule.”
“A pact,” Kitty said.
I looked between them. “What kind of pact?”
“If any of us notices that one of us is cornered by Collin,” Kitty said, warming to the idea, “we immediately say she’s needed somewhere else.”
“Urgently,” Meri added.
“And then we physically escort her away,” Kitty finished. “No debate. No explanations.”
I smiled despite myself. “That feels dramatic.”
“It’s preventative,” Meri said.
“And deeply satisfying,” Kitty added. “Maybe, just maybe, he will get the hint.”
“All right,” I said. “Deal.”
I stood and moved into the kitchenette, which was really just a counter, a sink, and a stove that behaved when it felt like it. I poured myself a glass of water and leaned against the counter, grounding myself in the cool surface.
“I changed the float,” I quietly announced.
Both of them looked at me.
“I toned it down,” I continued. “A lot. No moving parts and no elaborate set pieces. Just… something manageable since time is short.”
Meri smiled. “That sounds wise.”
“Greenery,” I said. “Secured properly with battery lights. Low profile so the wind doesn’t catch it. Maybe a bench in the truck bed if we can anchor it.”
Kitty sat up straighter. “We can decorate.”
“Yes,” I said. “I was hoping you would say that.”
Meri nodded. “I can source ribbon.”
Kitty grinned. “I will bring chaos.”
“Controlled chaos,” I said.
“Absolutely not,” Kitty replied.
I laughed, the sound easing something tight in my chest.
“He helped me think through what’s realistic,” I added quietly.
