“They are,” I agree. “They’ve been through hell and came out stronger.”
Millie is quiet for a moment, then asks, “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“How did you know?” Her voice is so soft I almost don’t hear her over the celebration. “With Nitro, I mean. How did you know he was the one? That it was worth risking everything for?”
I look at her, really look at her, and see the question beneath the question. The longing in her eyes as she glances across the room to where Will is laughing with Koa and Bear. The way her entire face lights up when he’s near, then dims when he maintains that careful distance.
“When I couldn’t imagine my life without him,” I answer honestly. “When the thought of going back to how things were before him, of not having him in my life, felt worse than any risk I might have to take to keep him.”
Millie nods slowly, absorbing this. “But what if… what if the risk isn’t just yours to take? What if someone else could get hurt by you taking that chance?”
“Will,” I say gently, and she doesn’t deny it.
“His patch comes first,” she says, repeating the words like a mantra she’s told herself a thousand times. “The club is his family. My dad’s business relationship with Defiance matters, and I won’t mess that up for him. I care about him too deeply to be the reason he loses everything he’s worked for.”
“Have you asked him what he wants?”
“I don’t need to. He’s made it clear. Every time we get close, every time there’s a moment, he pulls back. He’s chosen the club over… over whatever this could be.”
My heart aches for her. “Millie, sometimes people push away what they want most because they think they’re protecting something or someone. But what if you’re both miserable trying to protect each other from something that might not even be a real threat?”
“But w-what if it is?” Her voice cracks slightly. “What if I tell him how I feel, and it ruins everything? The friendship, his relationship with the club, my dad’s business? I couldn’t live with myself if I cost Will his future.”
I place my hand on her arm. “Love always has risks, sweetie. Always. But the regret of never knowing, of never trying? That might be worse than any risk you could take.”
She looks across the room again, and this time, Will is looking back. Their eyes meet, hold, and the longing between them is so palpable I can almost touch it. Then he looks away first, his jaw clenched, and turns back to his conversation with the brothers.
“Maybe someday,” Millie whispers. “When he has his patch, when things are more stable. Maybe then…”
“Maybe then,” I agree gently, even though I want to shake them both and tell them life is too short for maybes.
But I remember being where they are. Remember the fear and uncertainty before Nitro, and I finally admitted what we felt. Sometimes people need to find their own timing.
“Thanks,” Millie says, squeezing my hand. “For understanding. And for not judging.”
“Never. You and Will, whatever happens or doesn’t happen, I’m here for both of you.”
She gives me a watery smile, then excuses herself to take more plates to the kitchen. As she walks away, Will’s eyes track hermovement as if he can’t help himself. As if she’s a magnet and he’s helpless to resist the pull.
Victoria appears at my elbow. “They’re going to drive everyone crazy, aren’t they?”
“Absolutely,” I agree. “It’s painful to watch.”
“Sin thinks Will’s waiting until he gets his patch. Once he’s a full member, he won’t feel like he’s risking as much by pursuing her.”
“That’s still weeks away.”
“I know. But Will’s patient. And Millie’s worth waiting for.” Victoria rubs her belly absently. “We’ve all had our journeys, our obstacles. Maybe theirs is to learn when to fight for what they want.”
I watch Nitro across the room, deep in conversation with Sin and Ghost, his face animated and alive. We fought for this. Through lies and secrets and almost losing everything, we fought.
And it was worth every battle.
Maybe Will and Millie will find their moment.
Their reason to fight.
