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What happens when the rest of the world finds out?

None of its gone away.

But tonight, with Laney asleep against my chest, I let myself want something I've spent years convincing myself I couldn't have.

A future with her in it.

Not just tonight.

Not just until things get complicated.

Something real.

And that scares me more than anything.

Because I know exactly how much it hurts to lose the people you love.

But losing Delaney isn't what scares me the most anymore.

It's how easily I've started imagining a life where I never have to.

Her coffee mug beside mine. Her books scattered across the living room. Her laughter filling the quiet spaces I didn't even realize were empty.

All the little things that somehow add up to everything.

I glance down at the woman sleeping against my chest and brush a strand of hair away from her cheek.

Five years ago, I convinced myself the best thing I could do for Delaney Beckett was stay away from her.

Now I'm beginning to think staying away might be the biggest mistake I've ever made.

Because somewhere along the way, the girl I was never supposed to want became the woman I can't imagine living without.

And the really terrifying part?

I think I'm falling hard for my best friend's little sister.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

DELANEY

Bishop: You having fun without me?

Ismile down at my phone as I step out of the elevator into the lobby of Midnight Press.

Me: Considering I haven't even made it inside the party yet, I'd say you're getting a little ahead of yourself.

Bishop: Just checking. Heard those publishing parties get wild.

Me: We're talking about people who spend their days arguing over commas.

Bishop: Exactly. Dangerous crowd.

I laugh, tucking my phone into my purse.

It's been three weeks since Bishop's birthday, and somewhere between Thanksgiving leftovers, late-night kisses, and falling asleep with his arm around me, we've settled into something that feels suspiciously like a relationship.

Not that we've actually called it one.