Page 164 of Smoke and Glitter

My chest tightens in a way I resent.

We finish the paperwork, and the box feels heavier than it should in the inside pocket of my jacket when we leave.

Colt waits until we're in the car before getting quiet. I notice because Colt being quiet usually means something unpleasant is about to happen. He stares through the windshield while rubbing his thumb over the side of his coffee cup.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to decide whether I want to ruin a perfectly good afternoon."

"Then don't."

He ignores that. "I've been waiting a year for you to want something from me."

I lean back against the seat. The box presses against my chest when I move.

Colt turns toward me. "You've shown up for me and Summer more times than I can count. You showed up when Summer left, when she came back, when I couldn't get my head out of my ass. You feed everybody, fix everything and carry half the damn building on your back if nobody stops you. But you never ask for shit."

"This is getting dramatic."

"You've asked me for one thing."

I look out the window because he's enjoying this too much.

His voice quiets. "I'm glad you asked me."

I keep looking through the windshield and let the uncomfortable part happen.

"I'm glad I asked too."

Colt nods once and reaches for the ignition. "The offer stands, by the way."

I glance over. "What offer?"

"Whatever you need." Before I can answer, he points at me. "And don't make me say any more emotional shit today. I've reached capacity."

A laugh gets out of me. "I wasn't going to."

"Liar."

He starts the car, and I don't argue.

Autumn

Summer and Colt are back from Charleston before the baby, exactly as she promised they would be. Half their boxes are still unopened. She is due in two days, and I am not going to miss anything.

Sam is waiting beyond the barrier at O'Hare when I come through with two suitcases, a carry-on and no return ticket.

He sees me before I reach him.

The change in his face is immediate.

I barely get within reach before he takes both suitcases.

I laugh. "Hello to you too."

"You looked overloaded."

His hand comes up to my face, thumb resting just beneath my cheekbone. The airport keeps moving around us while Sam looks at me like the last several weeks have finally become irrelevant.