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Lainey unbuckles her seat belt and turns toward me. "Thank you for driving."

"You're welcome."

"And for listening eventually."

I cock an eyebrow. "Eventually?"

"It took a while."

"I'm new at this."

"At listening?"

"At having somebody whose opinion matters enough to piss me off when I don't agree with it," I admit.

She bites her lip.

I add, "That sounded better in my head."

"Much better, I hope."

I laugh. Then I reach across the console and cup the back of her neck. "Come here."

She leans toward me.

I kiss her slowly. It's just her mouth against mine and the reminder that beneath all the shit we still need to figure out, this part is easy. When I pull away, her eyes stay closed another second. "Good night, sweetheart."

She opens them and hesitates. For a minute, I think she's going to say she wants to come with me. But she finally replies. "Good night."

I take it as my cue and unlatch my belt. I get out and walk her to the porch, give her a final kiss, and head over to my place. I sit on the couch, alone, again.

I remind myself not to be an asshole about it.

She said we're getting there.

This has to be enough right now.

Tomorrow we'll figure out Charlie staying here.

I finally head to my bedroom, but I can't sleep.

She should be here next to me.

"Stop being a dick," I mutter to myself.

She isn't ready. That doesn't mean she never will be, I remind myself.

I head out to the kitchen and grab a bottle of water.

A knock hits the front door.

I freeze and glance at the clock. It's almost midnight. I cross the living room and open the door.

Lainey stands on my porch.

My brain stops working.

She's changed into black leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. Her hair's twisted into a messy knot on top of her head. Snowflakes cling to the loose red strands around her face.