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He's with Brielle.

He's fine.

Everything's fine.

“Hey,” I say softly. “You were just a kid.”

Nick nods.

“But I'll never forget it.”

“Wow,” Brielle says. “You never told me you already knew Amanda.”

“Sorry,” Nick says quietly. “Didn't seem important.”

Less squeezes me closer.

“I’m proud of you, Sweetheart.”

Hearing him say that sets something off inside of me—gratitude, maybe. And I lean into him automatically.

Honestly, I don't even think about the past anymore.

Not now.

Not with him here.

His hand rubs lazy circles on my hip.

His warmth surrounds me.

And I feel so many things.

Content.

Happy.

Loved.

Also aware—like the kind you get before you are about to have a very good night.

And really, I enjoyed the company, but I can’t wait until we’re alone.

“You get enough to eat, Rusty?”

“Mm hm. You ordered enough food to feed a small army.”

“Good.”

“Yeah. Thank God these two showed up,” I tease, trying to remember we have guests.

Brielle laughs.

“Happy to help! Feel free to over-order anytime.”

“Are you guys close by?” I ask.

Nick almost chokes.