“Losing your bond mates is going to hurt you.”
“But I’ll have you. And that’sallI need.”
We walk down to the beach, hand in hand. The bonfire is going, burning into the sky, sending sparks flying. Asher turns when she sees us and brings me a bottle of beer.
“All right. The skies are on fire.”
I snort a laugh. “I didn’t mean for it to be so literal. Who made this?”
“Devon and Mack were worried I’d get sick, so they built it,” Sofia says with a small sigh of pure contentment.
“They don’t have to stay away; they are part of this now,” I say with an amused smile.
“Oh, good. They are hiding behind the rocks over there.” Sofia waves her hands towards the lighthouse. “Boys, you can stop hiding now.”
“How did you know that?” Devon grumbles as he comes over.
“Um, bonds?” Sofia laughs and flicks him in the forehead.
He grabs her from behind and cuddles into her.
I stare at my friends, the Sunshine omega group that is growing and changing, and I know what I have to do. I have to change, too; trust is hard to give, but I know they will help me.
“I lied by omission, and then I lied to you all.” I say quietly. No one speaks. “Things got tight financially, and I couldn’t get work. It’s hard to get paid for what you normally do for free, and I spent so long helping everyone.”
Sebastian doesn’t let go of my hand; his thumb strokes soft circles that fill my heart with courage.
“It was desperation. I was going to have to re-home Gale,” I say, trying to explain.
“You could have asked us,” Sofia says.
“Like you told us about how life was for you?” I say honestly.
Sofia flinches.
“We all have our pride and our secrets.” I take a deep breath. This is for the best. “Mine is that I’m Lynn Marino.”
There is silence before Asher approaches. “You’re serious? You’re the author everyone is looking for?”
I nod my head miserably.
She whistles and whips around.
“Did anyone guess Cordelia?”
No one speaks, I don’t know if I’m proud or offended.
“I don’t want to be famous. I just wanted to pay the bills. It never occurred to me that anyone would like these stories I write. And them, Katsu and Fox. I didn’t meet them; it's all just a wild coincidence. I swear, I never knew them.”
Asher throws her head back and laughs. “Oh, man, this is great. All this time, no one even looked at you.”
Sofia isn’t looking at me; she’s staring at Sebastian.
“You knew, didn’t you?”
“Of course. Though she wasn’t aware I knew.”
“I can’t believe it’s you!” Asher says. “You are so much more sneaky than I gave you credit for.”
