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“No.”

“You don’t know what I was going to ask.”

“Yes, I do. The answer is no.” My snort rang out. “I can’t believe you’re pouting.”

“I don’t pout.”

“You’re literally pouting right now.”

“This is my thoughtful face.”

“Sure it is.”

He strode to the door, but turned back. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I watched him go and allowed myself one moment to just feel it. The warmth in my chest. The certainty that I’d made the right choice.

After calling Denver, I got to work.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

BRASHE

Isat in my truck with the purple sticky note in my hand, reading it for the fifth time.

The paper was already soft at the edges where my thumb kept rubbing. I’d memorized every loop of her handwriting, the way the E curved, how she’d pressed harder on Lucky like she meant it.

I’m choosing my career. You just happen to be part of the package. Lucky you. —E

My throat kept closing up. I had to keep swallowing around something that felt too big to name.

She’d chosen herself first. The research protocol with Patty. The career she’d built. The life she wanted.

And I got to be part of it.

Not the reason for it. Part of it.

The distinction mattered more than I could put into words.

I pulled out my phone and took a photo, the purple paper bright against my palm. Her handwriting. The little dash before her initial. The way she’d underlined Lucky you twice.

Our team logo had been my lock screen since I’d gotten this phone. Two years of looking at that purple bear every time I checked the time, answered a text, or did anything. It was automatic and part of who I was.

I deleted it and set her note as my wallpaper instead. The bear could go. This was who I wanted to be now.

I replied to her text. Luckiest orc alive. —B

Her response came fast. Get back to work, Kedish.

I grinned at my phone. She was already back to bossing me around. I loved it.

Yes, Dr. Lundrig.

And Brashe?

Yeah?