Page 159 of Only Be Mine

Instead, I picked up my phone and opened Seth’s contact.

For a moment, I just stared at his name.

Then I typed.

Me: Are you around?

The dots appeared almost immediately.

Seth: Yeah. What’s wrong?

I hesitated, then typed.

Me: I think I’m ready to ask

There was a pause this time.

Seth: I’ll come to you

I didn’t tell him to.

I didn’t stop him either.

I set the phone down and stood very still in the center of the kitchen.

Somewhere, deep and steady, something had shifted.

Not fear, not yet.

But the quiet no longer felt protective.

It felt curated.

And for the first time, I wasn’t sure I wanted someone else arranging it for me.

Chapter 59

Cate

Present

The knock came just before five.

I was already standing when it sounded. I didn’t remember crossing the room, only that my hand was on the doorknob before I felt ready.

The light outside had shifted, longer shadows stretching across the porch. Seth stood there, shoulders squared, jaw set in that quiet way he got when he’d already decided something mattered.

For a second, neither of us spoke.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

Not what’s wrong.

Not are you okay.

Are you sure…

I nodded and he stepped inside.