Page 5 of The Flavor of Us

“Waste what?” My brows pull together as I unsuccessfully try to avoid what my little sister is referring to. I can give all the advice in the world. I can protect my sister and I know damn well how to protect my heart. Which is part of the problem.

Ellie slowly hands me Aria and then sits up a little straighter, gesturing to her best friend. “You look so much happier, Carlie. In the last several minutes since she showed up, I’ve seen you smile. Like a genuine, happy smile. It’s like you’ve let yourself breathe again.”

That’s exactly what it feels like. Pushing Tati away was hurting us both.

“I’m not letting her go this time,” I say, the words slipping out before I can second-guess them. “I mean it.”

Ellie smiles before her head sinks back against the pillows. “Good. About damn time. The amount of meddling I had to do while pregnant with triplets was a pain in the ass.” Her lids flutter closed as I hold Aria, her breathing soft as she unconsciously pulls Savin closer so damn precious. There’s a soft sigh and then those eyes are open again, a deviant smile spreading across her lips. “Okay, listen, I know it’s insane, but I couldreallygo for some lemon lavender ice cream right now.”

I choke on a laugh and Tati’s gaze flicks to us, surprise in those wide hazel eyes. Macon lets out a low chuckle, but the real comedy gold comes from Savin, who jolts upright like someone just poured ice water on him.

“Wait,what?” he blurts out, blinking rapidly as he looks between Ellie and the rest of us. “Why…why would you want that? You only ever wanted that stuff when you werepregnant! Are you—wait—are you pregnantagain?!”

The silence that follows lasts about half a second before Macon snorts, Tati wheezes, and I can’t stop the loud, undignified laugh that bursts out of me. Even Ellie starts giggling despite how utterly exhausted she looks.

“Savin,” I say, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye. “Ellie has always liked odd flavors. Pregnancy just…enhanced it.”

Ellie waves her hand weakly at Savin. “That’s not how pregnancy works, babe. Also, I ate that stuff for like six months straight. I’m just…kind of in love with it now.”

More laughter ripples through the room and even Savin cracks a sleepy smile as he lets himself sink back against Ellie’s side.

For a moment, everything feelsright. Ellie’s tired but happy, Savin’s safe in her arms, Macon is practically glowing as he holds one of his sons, and Tati—gorgeous, fiery, stubborn Tati—is sitting there with a tiny baby cradled in her arms and this soft look on her face that makes me want to press pause on the world and stay in this moment forever.

All I have to do is stop pulling away and let the walls around my heart crumble.

Easier said than done.

Chapter three

TATI

My head’s still spinning from everything—my god babies, the love pouring out of that hospital room, and the way Carleen looked at me when she said she wasn’t letting me go this time. Those words haven’t stopped replaying in my head, looping over and over like a song stuck on repeat.

I want that kind of forever—the way Macon looks at Ellie like she’s the sun and the stars and every damn thing in between. The way Savin clings to Ellie even in his sleep, like she’s the only thing tethering him to the earth. It’s raw, unfiltered love. The kind that wraps itself around your ribs and makes it hard to breathe. The kind I want with Carleen.

The emotions sit heavy in my chest as we walk out to the parking lot, side by side, but not touching. The night air is cool, sharp against my cheeks, and the distant hum of the city surrounds us. I glance at her out of the corner of my eye andshe’s got her hands stuffed into her coat pockets, her jaw tight like she’s thinking too hard about something. Probably about us. Probably aboutme.

The silence stretches out between us and I hate it. I hate that we’ve spent so long stuck in this purgatory—her pulling away, me pretending it didn’t hurt, both of us too damn scared to justtalkabout it.

I remember those late nights at her apartment, curled up on her couch with some trashy reality TV show playing in the background. We’d share inside jokes, laugh until our sides hurt, and drink wine until our words slurred together. I remember falling asleep next to her, the warmth of her body just inches away, and thinking,This could be enough. This could be everything.

And then she pulled away.

One day, she was there—solid and warm andCarleen—and the next, she wasn’t. She shut me out, left me stranded in the middle of something I couldn’t name, and I didn’t know how to climb my way back.

But then she texted me. A simple, hesitantheythat cracked my chest open all over again. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to keep me from completely unraveling.

My fingers fumble with my keys as I stare down at the worn leather keychain, my stomach twisting itself into knots. I don’t know what to say, so I don’t say anything.

“Goodnight, Carleen,” I murmur, my voice softer than I intend it to be. I move to open my car door, but her voice stops me.

“Tati.”

Slowly, I turn around to face her. She’s standing there under the dim yellow glow of the parking lot lights. Her hands are out of her pockets now, one reaching up to gently cup my face. Her thumb brushes over my cheekbone, her touch soft. Like she’s scared I’ll shatter if she presses too hard.

“You’re thinking too loud again,” she murmurs, her lips quirking into the faintest smile.

I let out a breathy laugh, but it’s shaky. “Can you blame me?”

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