Page 35 of Sweet Oblivion

“Yes,”Mom answers.“It’s been sent to both of you and will be released after the meeting.”

Scarlet takes Mom’s hand in hers. A show of strength between sisters. Between family.“We support you, Ryker. You and your... fiancée.”Her gaze sharpens.“Let us know if there’s anything either of you need and when exactly we get to officially meet the lucky lady.”

My fiancée.

Not sure when I’ll get used to that.

“Thank you,” Liv announces without missing a beat. She slides her iPad back in her bag and looks at me, waiting for the nod. The acceptance that I’m good and the meeting’s over. Once she has it, she stands. “We appreciate your understanding and will be happy to fully cooperate with any investigation.”

I nod once because really, what else is there to say.

This isn’t over.

Not even a little.

If anything, today was the beginning.

And somehow, this part . . .

The league. The press. The fallout . . .

This is the easy part.

DELANEY

Question of the day – what’s your favorite color?

It’s a tie between minty green and pink.

But not a bright, obnoxious pink.

A pale pretty pink.

Did you always want to work with flowers?

That’s a second question, Beneventi.

We agreed to one a day.

Humor me, Bambi.

I’m waiting to get my hamstring worked on, and I’m bored.

Are you okay?

Fine.

Just need to get stretched.

Now focus. Flowers.

Fine. Yes.

I wanted to be a landscape architect.

I never got further than a few classes atcommunity college.

—Text from Ryker to Delaney