“Yeah?”
My smile faltered a little. “You disagree?”
“Even if this all ends in flames?—”
“You’re such a pessimist to even think that.” I frowned.
“—I would have rather gotten a glimpse of a life with you than nothing at all. I don’t mind being forever linked to you in story or otherwise. In fact, I downright prefer it.”
Breathing became easier. I pressed my hands to his chest, feeling the steady heartbeat of a man I’d slowly but surely fallen in love with. “Good, because I’d hate to fight on a day like this.”
“You’re such a liar.” He kissed me this time and bit my bottom lip before pulling away. “I’m going to go in the front and help your dad and Adam unload that truck.”
“Alright.” I nodded, disappointed to have to detach from him but grateful he was attempting to to be a part of something.
David wasn’t used to this family thing. And after a handful of dinners with my family, I realized just how hard the change would be for him. But I also realized how willing he was to unlearn his lone wolf mentality and let people see him. Allow people close enough to love him.
“I really love seeing you two together.” Logan appeared atmy elbow with a box of unsorted flowers stuffed inside. “You’re always more present when he’s here.”
My cheeks burned, but I nodded. “He’s grounding. Humbling. Annoying.”
“All the makings of a perfect partner.” Logan smiled and gestured with her elbow to a nearby table. “Want to help me sift through these? We’re supposed to give them as gifts with the baskets.”
“Those overstuffed, raffle-prize equivalent baskets?” I pointed toward a table holding baskets that were probably worth upwards of ten thousand dollars in merchandise.
Logan sighed and nodded. “One and the same. Rose wanted to impress.”
“The gold water fountain wasn’t enough? Or the Michelin star chef? Maserati getaway car—which isn’t really a thing during rehearsals. They’re supposed to drive away after the wedding.”
My sister laughed. “Of course, none of that’s enough; how could you be so silly?”
“How could I?” I agreed and followed her to the table. She unloaded the flowers and handed me the twine to cut for our ties. We worked in silence for a bit, and my nerves picked up like they usually did when I was alone with her with nothing to distract my mind with. Her fingers moved quickly and effortlessly. A small scar wrapped around her thumb from the accident, barely noticeable yet still screaming at me.
I’d been building up the courage to broach the topic of the car accident with her for weeks after David suggested it. My therapist agreed that I’d benefit from this conversation, no matter how hard it’d get.
My fingers itched to touch the top of my head. But I was two months into no-picking. And doing so now would only trigger a spiral in which I’d shift focus onto myself and not the issue at hand.
“Lo?” I asked.
She hummed in acknowledgement, not taking her eyes off her tying.
“Can I talk to you about something?” I swallowed, keeping my gaze on my task but not registering what my hands did.
Logan stopped working and glanced over at me. “Of course. Is everything okay?”
I nodded and tried to smile. “Mostly.”
“And the small part?” she teased.
I took a breath, filling my lungs until they protested and emptied them until they ached. “I’ve been thinking about the accident. Our accident.”
Her brow furrowed, but I couldn’t read her eyes. “Really?”
“Yeah… well, I always think of the accident,” I confessed. “Especially when I’m around you.”
Logan’s shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry, Yara.”
“No, no,” I hurried. “You shouldn’t apologize; I’m the one who needs to.”
