I kiss Este, chastely, on the head before taking them out, and they immediately run several laps around the yard. Like me, they’re not used to being cooped up.
“Thought I saw you sneaking out here.” Shay sits beside me on the porch steps, laughing as Grey spots her and growls. “Damn. What did I do to make them hate me?”
“Not a clue. I assumed they just hated everyone.”
“Oh, well. I’m more of a cat person anyway. How’s your arm doing?”
“Better. I can move it a little without it hurting too much,” I tell her, showing her the tiny shrug I’ve been practicing.
“That’s progress. When do you start physiotherapy?”
“Tomorrow. I have an appointment to get my dressings changed, too.” The Wintermore hospital, despite its size, is efficient. Do I wish I didn’t have to visit several times a week for the next couple of months? Sure, but they saved my life, so I’m not going to complain. Especially not if it helps me get back to full strength faster. I can’t work with one hand, and though my clients have all been understanding and are happy to wait, I’m already itching to get back to work.
“Let me know how you get on?” Shay asks, almost shyly.
“Of course. My appointment is in the morning, so maybe Este and I could drop by the bakery after for lunch.”
Shay smiles, but her eyes betray her surprise. “That would be really nice. I wanted to check something with you. Noelle and I have a trip planned next weekend, just a couple of days in New York to see a show she’s been talking about. You seem like you have things pretty under control, but if you need me to stay?—”
“Go, Shay. Seriously. You deserve some downtime, and I’m all good, I promise. I have Este, and if something did happen, there’s a whole house full of people in there we could call.”
She narrows her eyes. “And would you? Call them?”
I consider lying and just saying a simple “yes,” but Shayknows me too well to not see through that. “If Este told me to, I would.”
“I’ll take it,” she says with a chuckle. “I’m glad you came tonight. I know this is your idea of hell, but it means a lot to have you here.”
“I’ve had a good time, actually.” No one is more surprised than me that I mean it. I may be a little “peopled out,” as Este puts it, but I see why Shay feels so at home with Noelle’s family. I think I could feel at home here, too. “I’m sorry it took me so long to come.”
“You’re here now. That’s what matters.” I’m not sure how I got so lucky to have people as understanding as Shay and Bryan, but I haven’t appreciated their patience enough over the years. “And you and me… are we okay?” Shay asks.
“Of course. What do you mean?”
She toys with the sleeve of her shirt. “I know I haven’t been as supportive of you and Este as you were of me and Noelle.”
“You were looking out for Este, Shay. I’m not upset about it.”
She blows out a breath. “Good. It’s just… I’m scared, Nico. I’m scared that your arm is going to heal and you’re going to disappear back up the mountain and things will go back to how they were.”
“That’s not going to happen,” I promise. “Look, I don’t know exactly what life is going to look like when my arm heals. Este and I haven’t talked about everything yet. But I do know I’m going to be coming down to Wintermoreregularly regardless, because Noelle told me I’m helping with her old bakery renovation.”
“She told you, or she asked you?”
“Told. And, full disclosure, she scares me a little, so I didn’t question it.”
Shay laughs, her eyes glimmering. “She is kind of terrifying, right? But I’m glad. I’ve been too scared to ask you.”
“I’ve been too scared to offer.” What a pair we make.
“Trust Noelle to see through us both. Thank you, Nico. I know none of this is easy for you, but I’m really happy we’re doing this.”
“Me too,” I say, and I actually mean it. “So, talk to me about your trip.”
Shay lights up. “We have a private room booked at a restaurant we’ve both wanted to go to forever, and I’m finally going to propose.”
“That’s amazing.” God, I hope my face doesn’t give away that I already knew about the dinner they have planned. Because Noelle already told meshewas planning to propose there. “Happy for you, Shay. Can I see the ring?”
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