Keene’s gaze flicks toward the house. “She’s in there with the family instead of out here with you.”
It’s not a question. Keene’s perceptive when he bothers to be. “You knew we’d accept her.”
“Because I love her.” There. The words are out there.
He’s silent for a beat. Then, “You told her first.”
Again—statement, not question.
My chest tightens. “Yeah.”
“So… she’s the real deal?”
I huff. “What, you thought I rented her?”
“Honestly, Charlie? Do you want me to answer that?”
I glare at him. “Boy, you’re lucky I’m emotionally fragile right now or I’d kick your ass.”
“You’re never that emotionally fragile,” he says, then immediately winces. “Okay, that sounded?—”
“I know what you meant,” I cut in.
Then he clears his throat and does something I don’t expect.
He nudges my shoulder. Lightly. Almost like a son to his father. “Come back inside.”
I stare at the stars a second longer. “In a minute.”
Keene doesn’t push. He just stands there with me, silent. After a beat, he says quietly, “For what it’s worth… I’m glad you told us.”
I don’t trust my voice, so I nod once.
Keene nods back like we’ve made some silent agreement. Then he turns toward the house, pauses at the corner, and calls my name.
I turn around and find his trademark smirk—worn like armor again, but softer now, less sharp—back in place. “If you tell anyone I said any of that. I’ll deny it and claim you hallucinated due to Emily singing karaoke.”
I manage a real smile. “If Emily’s singing karaoke, there’s no way in hell I’m coming back inside.”
He snorts. “Get inside, Charlie. Before Cass and Ali hand her the mic.”
After he disappears, I stay for a moment longer and let the cold sting my cheeks letting Keene’s words penetrate.
Maybe he’s right. This family isn’t built on perfection. I’ve known that from the beginning. It’s built on truth and survival and choosing each other anyway.
And they chose me.
Rhoswen chose me.
Both feel incredible.
I exhale, then turn toward the house. Toward warmth. Toward laughter.
And the woman who kissed me and told me to take all the time I needed—and meant it.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
PRESENT
