I shake my head firmly. “That’s not our inheritance, Len. We’re not our parents. We never have been.”
“But—”
“No buts,” I cut her off. “Look at us. Look at what we’ve made of ourselves despite everything they did. You’re a successful paralegal working for one of the best attorneys in the state. I’m a licensed pharmacist. We have our own places, our own lives. We broke the cycle.”
She doesn’t look convinced. “In some ways, maybe.”
“In all the ways that matter,” I insist. “And you could be letting the love of your life slip away because you’re still letting Mom and Dad’s mistakes define what you think is possible for yourself.”
Lennon throws a pillow at me, but there’s no real heat behind it. “Since when did you get so wise?”
“Since I let myself fall in love with a complicated man who makes me happier than I ever thought possible,” I reply honestly. “It changes your perspective.”
She’s quiet for a moment, picking at the label on her beer bottle. “What if I’m just not meant to be with anyone? What if some people are just supposed to be alone?”
The sadness in her voice breaks my heart a little. “Do you really believe that?”
“Sometimes,” she admits. “Not everyone gets a happy ending, Atlee. Some of us are supporting characters in other people’s love stories.”
“That’s bullshit,” I say firmly. “You’re the main character in your own story, Len. Always have been. And there’s no reason you can’t have what I have with Devlin, or something even better that works for you.”
“Maybe,” she says, but I can tell she’s not convinced.
“Just promise me you’ll think about giving Carson another chance if he asks again,” I urge. “Just one real date. If it’s terrible, I’ll never bring it up again.”
She sighs dramatically. “If it’ll get you off my back, fine. One date.Ifhe asks again. Which he probably won’t.”
“He will,” I say confidently. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
“Whatever,” she mumbles, but I catch the faint smile tugging at her lips.
We lapse into comfortable silence for a while, the TV playing softly in the background. It’s nice just being here with her like old times, before Devlin, before the robbery.
“So,” Lennon finally says, breaking the silence. “You think you and Devlin are in it for the long haul?”
The question catches me off guard. “I hope so,” I answer honestly. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
“Even with all the drama?” she asks pointedly. “The stuff with Noah and the Morrisons?”
I tense slightly, wondering how much she knows. “What do you mean?”
She gives me a look that says she’s not buying my innocent act. “Atlee, I work for Shawn Cooper. I’ve seen Devlin, Jesse, and Truett coming in and out of the office. I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but I know it’s serious.”
I take a deep breath, deciding how much to reveal. “It’s complicated,” I finally say. “But yes, even with all that. Maybe especially with all that. It’s easy to be with someone when everything’s perfect. The real test is standing by them when things get hard.”
“And you’re ready for that? Whatever comes next?”
“I am,” I say without hesitation. “He’s worth it. We’re worth it.”
Lennon studies me, then nods slowly. “Then I’m happy for you. And I’ve got your back, whatever happens. You know that, right?”
“I know,” I say, warmth spreading through my chest at her words. “And I’ve got yours too. Always.”
She yawns, stretching her arms over her head. “God, I’m tired. And maybe a little drunk.”
I laugh, feeling the pleasant buzz of alcohol myself. “Same. We should probably get some sleep.”
Lennon gets up, swaying slightly as she heads to her linen closet to grab blankets and pillows for the pull-out couch. “You good out here?”
