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He licks my chin. Then my cheek.

Roman slowly lets him go.

Alibi turns in a tight circle, carefully—almost like he knows—and curls against my uninjured side.

His head settles on my stomach. I put my arm around him. He sighs with pure contentment.

That's it. I'm done.

Tears spill over. “Fuck.”

Violet starts crying again. “Oh, come on.”

“I can’t help it.”

“I know.” She sniffs, but the tears keep coming. “But I can’t stand to see you cry.”

“I’m crying because of the dog!”

“I'm also crying because of the dog!”

Gracie sniffles.

Presley wipes her eyes.

Ivy is openly sobbing.

Sebastian looks at the ceiling.

Drew hands Violet a tissue.

Beck rubs the back of his neck.

Smoke looks away.

Roman still sits beside me, watching me.

I stroke Alibi's scruffy head.

Our dog.

Our ridiculous little family.

My gaze moves around the room at my family and friends.

And finally it lands on Roman.

The man who spent eleven years making sure no one knew where he lived.

The man who barely kept any belongings so it was easy for him to leave.

The man who didn’t like people.

Yet his boss is here.

His best friend is here.

My cousin is here because of him.