Page 232 of Irreversible

“Sounds perfect for you.”

She’s not wrong. It would allow me to do what I’m good at, fulfilling that part of myself that will probably always feel like I’ve got something to prove—that I’m the opposite of the evil bastard who created me. Because even though being around Everly has done wonders for my mental health, childhood wounds have a way of working their way into your molecular structure.

“Yeah.” I let my hand trail down from her arm to her ass, giving it a squeeze. “But it’s also dangerous. And there’s a lot of traveling.” That would never have stopped me before. But what I’mnotsaying is that it’s a lone-wolf type of job—the kind that works best when you’re single. “I don’t know.”

Am I still a lone wolf?

Since that day at the club when Everly discovered who I was, we’ve been—well, I’m not sure, exactly. Enjoying each other? Exploring this magnetic pull we have? But there’s always been a threat looming over our heads. Somehow it made everything feel temporary.

But over the last twenty-four hours, everything has changed.

We’re bound to change, too; that’s inevitable.

Where do we go from here? What does she expect?

Fuck, I’m starting to sweat. I scratch at my neck.

Tanner’s eyes narrow for a second, before he glances at Everly and back again. Understanding washes over his face.

I can’t look at her. Is she watching me? I blink at Tanner like an S.O.S. signal.

The itch spreads to my chest. Will I be expected to “settle down?” Do Iwantto settle down? Do I know what the hell settling down even means?

Shit. I can’t breathe.

“Isaac.” Everly gives me a coy smile. “I don’t expect you to change personalities now that he’s dead, you know.”

I just look at her, helpless, because Idon’tknow.

“That would be boring. And you…” she leans over and kisses me, her hair falling in a curtain around my head, “are incapable of being boring. That’s one of the things I love about you.” The smile widens until it practically takes over her face. Turning on her heel, she leaves the room, taking the empty mugs with her.

Oh, God, the room is spinning.

Also, I really want to grab her and throw her down on the bed, dammit.

Plates clink in the kitchen, along with the sound of water running in the sink. At least I have a small reprieve. I look out the bedroom window at the tree line where I stood not so long ago, wondering what her apartment would be like.

“So.” Tanner chuckles. “When’s the wedding?”

“Fuck off.” I glare at him. “How’s Shay?”

His face twists. “Bite your tongue. I’d take Everly any day—even if shewasa gigantic pain in my ass for the past year.”

I stare at him. He’s one of those people who rambles under pressure.

He’ll crack.

“Stop looking at me like that,” he grumbles. “Shay is a completely different thing.”

“Okay.”

He sighs. “She’s staying with some deadbeat with a record. I’m keeping an eye on her only because I still feel responsible. Plus, my mother is attached. The end.”

“Ah. It’s a favor to Mom. Right.”

“Stop trying to change the subject by antagonizing me.”

I grab a bottle of water and take a casual sip. “I just asked a simple question.”

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