“Maybe since becoming a couple.” He winks, running his hand up and down my back.
“Are we going to be okay?” I ask, trying to push down my insecurities.
“As long as you talk to me instead of bottling up your feelings until you explode, we’ll be okay,” he assures me.
“I’ll work on it,” I agree, returning his grin.
“You know I’m not trying to fix you, right? I don’t think you’re broken—I like you just the way you are.”
“Outspoken. Loud. Impulsive…” I sing, swaying back and forth.
“That as well as being smart, funny, kind, and beautiful.” He dips his head and kisses me firmly on the lips.
We both look towards the mudroom when we hear voices and the sound of our friends as they let themselves in the back door.
“You didn’t lock up and set the alarm,” Ryan whispers in my ear.
“Logan knows the security code. It wouldn’t have mattered,” I say with a chuckle. Despite everything, I feel lighter now thatRyan and I have talked things through. Argued things through? Same thing.
“So much for make-up sex,” he grumbles into my neck.
“I have a lot to make up for. I’m sorry. I promise to make it worth the wait.” Holding his face in my hands, I kiss him again.
He groans into my mouth. “Fine. Later.”
He steps away, and we watch Carson come through the mudroom into the kitchen with two boxes in his arms. Riot and Dillon are close behind with a box each. Logan appears with a stack of pizza boxes and places them on the counter before pulling plates out of the cupboard.
“What’s going on?” I ask as they place everything on the longer harvest table. Jumping down from where I was sitting, I open the first box and peek inside.
Hannah comes to stand beside me and wraps her arm around my shoulder. “We sorted and collected everything the best we could. Some things were destroyed, and we put them in a separate box for you to look through when you are ready. But we saved a lot.”
Claire joins me on the other side and lays her head on my shoulder. “We can’t do anything about the sketches and journals that were lost.” She places her hand on one box. “But we have digital copies of most of the photos, and we can reprint them.”
“I couldn’t rehang the curtains, but I think we can repurpose the fabric to make pillows,” Meg suggests from across the table. “Everything has been cleaned up.”
“I’ll tow it over to the farm later today,” Carson says.
“If Braden can’t find it, he can’t get in it again,” Dillon agrees.
“Yeah. That’s a good idea.” My eyes well with tears again. “Thank you,” I say, as my gaze sweeps around the room at the rest of my friends, settling on Ryan. “All of you.”
Thirty-Nine
“Beck?” I pop my head up in surprise from where I’m sorting through some of my salvaged designs to see Meg standing at my door. “Do you have a few minutes?” she asks.
“Hey. I didn’t expect to see you today.” Yesterday was tough, but with the support of Ryan and my friends, I’m feeling better today. “The last time you stopped in unexpectedly, you brought me a treat.” I pretend to peek around her.
“No treat,” she laughs, “but I brought you something. Can we talk privately?”
“Now you have my attention.” I peer at the clock on the wall and grimace. “I only have ten minutes before my next appointment, though.”
“This won’t take long.” She slips in and shuts the door behind her. I gesture to a chair for her to sit down. “Are you okay?” My forehead creases as I sit on a stool and roll towards her. Her cheeks are pink from the cold, but underneath, her skin is pale. There’s no way she’s getting enough sleep.
“Yeah. I’m okay,” she tries to reassure me. “I have to tell you something, but I need you to promise me not to ask too many questions.”
“Okay,” I say slowly, furrowing my eyebrows.
She takes a big breath before all her words rush out. “I was lurking on one of those ‘Are We Dating the Same Guy?’ groups yesterday.” She glances quickly at me and then back at her hands. “I’m not ready to talk about why. Not right now, okay?”
