“Of course it is,” Taylor says, and everyone chimes in with our support.
“Fuck cancer,” Sloane agrees. “Now can we talk more about the book? I have a rep to protect as a bookstore owner.”
We circle back to discuss the thriller more thoroughly. Sadie loved the true-crime media commentary, Avah thought the pacing was off, Molly appreciated the complex female protagonist, and Taylor wished there was more romance. Iris defends her book choice, while I mostly stay quiet, still processing everything.
By the time the meeting winds down, it’s after six. We help clean up, packing leftover snacks for Molly to bring home to her twins and Chase. As we head to the parking lot, Avah falls into step beside me.
“Hey,” she says quietly. “Can I give you some advice?”
“Sure.”
“I meant it when I said hate sex isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Or even bordering on angry sex.” She pauses, her expression unusually serious. “Neither is being with someone who could hurt you.”
“I’m not going to let him break my?—”
“I’m not talking about your heart,” she interrupts. “Though that too. I’m just...be careful, okay? Make sure you’re not just seeing what you want to see.”
I stop walking, studying her face in the golden hour parking lot light. “Avah, is everything okay with you and Jonathan?”
Her expression shutters immediately, and the bright smile returns. “Everything’s peachy keen. We’re still planning to elope in August and then go on the most epic beach honeymoon.”
I don’t believe her. There’s something in her eyes—not exactly fear, but I can’t quite identify the emotion. I do know it doesn’t match her words.
“If you ever need?—”
“This isn’t about me, Pip. Really.” She pulls me into a quickhug. “Focus on yourself and that baby. And then Felix. Figure out what you want, not what you think you should want.”
Before I can press further, she’s gone, heading to her car with a wave.
I stand there for a moment, confused and concerned. But then my sister appears beside me, linking her arm through mine.
“You okay?” she asks.
“Yeah,” I say, even though I’m not entirely sure. “Just processing.”
“Ian’s smoking ribs. Want to come over?”
I shake my head. “Thanks, but I need to get home. Felix texted. He and Ellie are at the house.”
Sadie squeezes my arm. “Call me if you need anything. I mean it.”
“I know. Thank you.”
I hug her tight, then make my way to my Jeep. The drive home takes less than ten minutes. My house sits on a quiet street, and I pull into the driveway and sit for a moment.
Max’s absence hits me all over again—the way he’d bark when I pulled up and meet me at the door with his whole body wiggling.
The house has felt so empty without him. It’s empty and sad and like a place I’m just passing through.
But tonight, it isn’t empty. Tonight, Felix Barlowe and little Ellie are here. I don’t know what happens next, or if Felix and I can figure out how to be parents together. Heck, I don’t know if I can really stand on my own while letting him help me, or if I’m setting myself up for heartbreak.
But I do know one thing. I’m glad I won’t be alone tonight. More importantly, I’m glad I’ll be with Felix.
17
FELIX
The past threedays in Skylark have been remarkably perfect, and I’m starting to understand why my brother settled here. It’s a hidden gem of a town but not so small that you can’t have a decent private life, even as a celebrity.
