“Abbé, Nadia, and you guys.”
He nodded, pouting as he focused on turning a corner. “Anyone else?” he tried and failed to ask casually.
“No.”
His nods tightened, quickened. “Right. Do you think you should?”
“That wouldn’t look good with the investigation, Nix.”
That person and I would never speak again.
“Do you want me out of the job?”
A rocking motion. Warm, strong arms holding me close. “Ofcourse not. No. You’re staying here forever.”
I closed my eyes until the streak of Nix’s full beam couldn’t bleed through my eyelids.
He spoke through the gentle rocking of my body, motionless in his car. “Right, yeah. But… does anyone need to know?”
The leather creaked as I twisted in the passenger seat to face him. “Haveyouspoken toanyonein StormSprint lately?”
He shrugged, eyes on the road. “Maybe.”
Don’t ask. I should not ask.
I couldn’t.
Folding my arms, I sat back in my chair, glaring at the rain. “Well, that’s nice.”
“Nice?” he asked.
“Nix, I know you love to meddle. I know that part of the reason you married Livie was that you love gossip, but I am not your gossip. There is nothing to report on here.”
He was silent, then laughed lightly. “Tell her I married her for gossip. I’d love to see her reaction.”
We pulled up onto the packed drive, and I counted the cars. Too many.
There were going to be so many people inside.
For a minute, we stayed there in silence. I blurred the fairy lights hanging off the porch and windows, staring at the door instead. The wreath didn’t look welcoming with its holly, mistletoe, or bells. It was just sad and wet.
With the wipers off, I watched the raindrops slide down the glass, falling into each other, slowing and quickening.
“Just in case you were worried, he’s okay. It’s not terminal, and it’s manageable. Just not raceable.”
I hated how much that convulsed my chest, like a defibrillator.
Ever had told me weeks ago, but she would say anything to make me feel better. Nix wouldn’t.
My voice hardly sounded as I stared at those rushing raindrops. “Thank you.”
Nix let his words settle and then got out of the car. I didn’t blame him for leaving me. I would. I sucked all the festive spirit from the room.
He threw open my car door and offered me a hand. “Come on. Xavie and Avia will crash out soon. And Luca will eat all the food if you don’t hurry. And I’ll get soaked.”
I took his hand, let him pull me up, and we rushed out of the wind and rain into the house.
Mum threw the door open for us and drunkenly grabbed my face. “I’m so glad you’re home!”
