Page 104 of Take It Offline

But that doesn’t mean I want it. Every day, I witness what Reese and Mae have. I envy it.

There are no half measures for me. When I make a decision, there’s no time for second guessing, and love is no different.

I don’t want to fall. I want to stand firm beside a person worth fighting for. Someone who’ll stand and fight for me.

“Now, are you going to take this shot, or do I have to take it for you?”

Those pants must be working, because Emma is kicking my ass.

“And then we took a two-hour detour so Reese could see the world’s largest rocking chair.”

“I’m jealous. The coolest thing I’ve seen is the Alps.”

“How awful,” I tease. “It was surprisingly fun. Growing up, long trips always meant starting over. I never knew if it would work out, so the drive was one long walk to the gallows. I hatedpassing through places like they didn’t exist. Like we didn’t exist. So I made sure we made memories on the way, even if they were ridiculous.”

“It sounds like you’re ready to make some more.”

My lungs get tight at the thought. “I’ve been telling myself the same thing for the last few years.”

“What are you waiting for?”

I shrug.

I never planned to stay forever. But somewhere along the way, I stopped thinking about moving on and fell into the cycle of “maybe next year,” growing more cynical with each corporate announcement.

“Getting hired at Helix was a big deal. I worked my ass off to prove myself, and I used what I saved to help Reese open the shelter.”

Now, eight years have gone by, and I’m not sure what the future holds.

Lips pressed together, I scan the mostly empty bar. “Honestly, I’m not sure why I’m still there.”

“For what it’s worth,” she says, taking a step closer, “I’m glad you stayed.”

A lightness I’ve never experienced blooms in my chest. “I bet you never thought you’d say that.”

She laughs. “I wanted to strangle you when Roberts announced we’d be working together.”

“There’s still time,” I say with a wink.

She rolls her eyes as predicted. “Do you ever think about doing something else? Working on cars again or maybe becoming a suit model?”

“I’m starting to think you like my wardrobe more than me.”

She tips her head back and finishes her beer. When she sets it on the table, she eyes me. “It’s fifty-fifty.”

The cold bottle in my hand does nothing to cool me down.

The truth is, I haven’t thought about it, but already, it’s tempting. I have a lot of experience starting over, but as Emma takes her next shot, I know I’m not going anywhere soon.

“By the way,” I say, “Reese and Mae loved your mom’s suggestions. Said to pass on their thanks.”

“It’s me who should be saying thank you. I haven’t seen her that excited since I got my first paycheck. I’m going to need to carry smelling salts if I ever get engaged. She’s been worried I’d never settle down.”

It takes work to swallow down the jealousy bubbling up inside me. It’s violent enough that I miss my next shot, and the ball rolls off the short rail, away from the pocket.

Jaw tense, I force out, “They’ve got to be happy about Logan, then.”

Focus fixed on the pool table, she makes a noncommittal sound. Honestly, before I met them, I expected her parents to be assholes. More money than sense types. And maybe they are. Or maybe they used to be. But I’ve also seen firsthand what bad parents look like, and no one who adores their kid the way her parents do can be all bad.

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