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My fingers shake as I run them through her fur. Her warmth cuts through the chill that lingers on my skin. I focus on her, the steady rise and fall of her breath, until the edges of the dream begin to blur and fade.

For the briefest moment, I think about calling Charlie.

Her voice could steady me. Her gentle laugh would fill the empty spaces, her presence pushing back the darkness. She’s always been my anchor, even when I tried to cut the line.

But it’s late.

And she has her own demons to fight.

I lean back against the couch, my hand resting on Sunshine’s head. The dream may be over, but the weight of it lingers, pressing down like a storm that hasn’t passed yet.

“I’m okay,” I whisper again. But the words are for Sunshine, not for me.

Because I’m not okay. Not yet.

TWENTY-SIX

Charlie

The bonfire crackles and pops, flames stretching upward like they’re trying to touch the stars. The salty breeze carries the scent of burning wood and ocean spray, blending into something warm and comforting, like a memory you can’t quite place. Colin and Harlow West are playing their guitars, their voices weaving together effortlessly. Nathan, their son, sits next to them, his fingers dancing over the strings, while his wife Mina looks on with unabashed adoration.

It’s the kind of love you feel just by being near it, a radiance that wraps around everyone here. I glance at Angela, Garrett, and Elise by the fire, and my lips curl into a small smile. This family—Nick’s family—is woven so tightly together. A tapestry of love and shared history. And despite everything, somehow, I’m here too, an honorary thread in the mix.

I shiver as a cool breeze rolls in off the water. Sunshine and Nell dart in and out of the waves, the dog’s barks mingling with Nell’s delighted laughter. The moon hangs above like a watchfulguardian, and for a moment, I let the peaceful rhythm of the night soothe me.

Until Nick sits down beside me.

The air shifts immediately. His shoulder brushes mine, and the contact is like striking a match. My stomach flips, and a warmth spreads through me, one that has nothing to do with the fire.

It’s been a week since we kissed. A week of careful silence. A week of trying and failing to figure out what the hell we’re doing. I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, and just like that, memories of his lips on mine come rushing back. His hands on my waist, pulling me close, the heat of him igniting something I haven’t felt in years.

“Enjoying yourself?” His voice is low, soft, and it ripples over me like a wave.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak right away.

Before I can overthink it, Nick shrugs out of his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders. It’s warm from his body, and the scent of him—clean and woodsy with a hint of salt—wraps around me. I pull it tighter, ducking my chin into the collar.

“Did Nick tell you he’s gonna coach Nell’s soccer team?” Micah’s voice cuts through the air, and I look up to see him grinning at us from across the fire. “She’s convinced he’s gonna make them unbeatable.”

Nick chuckles, a sound so rich it hums through my chest. “We’ll see how long that lasts. She’s excited now, but once she realizes how serious I take soccer, that might change.”

Angela smirks, chiming in. “I can’t imagine you barking orders at a group of ten-year-olds, Nick. They’ll mutiny by the second practice.”

“You haven’t seen me on the field. I don’t mess around,” he deadpans, his eyes crinkling with humor.

The laughter around the fire is easy, light, but my chest feels heavy. How can I be around Nick without feeling the pull of something deeper, something I can’t ignore? Sitting here beside him, his jacket cocooning me in warmth, I feel the tension between us humming beneath the surface.

Micah pulls Ivy to her feet, and they begin to sway to the music. The sight of them makes my chest ache. The ease in the way they move together, the love in their smiles…

It’s beautiful.

And it’s not something I’ve ever had.

I glance at Nick. His profile is illuminated by the firelight, his expression unreadable. He looks so at ease, so solid, and yet there’s a quiet intensity about him that draws me in, like gravity.

“Penny for your thoughts?” His voice pulls me back, his eyes catching mine.

I laugh softly, shaking my head. “They’re not worth that much.”

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