Page 48 of Wicked

“He was a cop. Before that, the army. He was a Ranger.”

“Shit. He’s layers of complicated, isn’t he?”

“Savior and sinner.” What’s on my mind slips out of my mouth unfiltered. “He saved my life.”

“Sinner?”

“He took three men’s lives and destroyed a life to have what he wants.”

“You.”

“Yes,” I admit, my voice above a whisper. “Please don’t ask me about the circumstances.”

Ryker pushes his chair back and stands. “You two not living together, is that fair game?”

I nod. Before I can answer his question from ages ago, Esther wanders into the kitchen, asking for a glass of water.

“Sure thing, E. Anything for you.” Ryker hands her a glass. “Everyone getting along out there?”

“Yes.” She covers her yawn with her free hand. “We got bored with the boys playing games, so April’s looking for a movie.”

“How aboutMoana?” he suggests. “It’s one of my favorite Disney movies.”

“Really?”

Her eyes get big. The back of my hand shoots to my mouth, covering my smile. This guy . . . Who would have thought he’d be into kids’ movies?

“Yeah, kid. I mean, when the ocean parts and she’s walking in slow-mo to Te Fiti, singing that kick-butt song, I teared up.”

“I . . . that’s cool, Ryker.” She gulps her water, studying him over the rim.

And if I didn’t know any better, the beginnings of a little girl’s crush for the big guy is starting before my eyes.

She sets the glass near the sink and hurries back to the others. We hear, “Ryker likesMoana!”

“Moana, Moana, Moana!” the kids chant.

Resting my arm along the top of the chair, I face him, unable to stop smiling. He makes the kids happy, and that counts for something in my books.

“They like you.”

“Does that mean they forgive me for bailing on them?”

“So that you can find and furnish a place for all of us to hang out? What do you think?”

“I’m thinking that’s a yes. Will it be a problem you spending your time here?”

“Shephard?”

“Yes.”

“He won’t like it, but I already told him it’s not his decision to make who I want to be with.”

“And that brings us full circle to why you two don’t live together if you’ve lived with him before. He moved here with you. For you. Why not go all the way and shack up together too?”

He comes over and grabs the seat across from me. He reaches for my hand. The opening song forMoanafloats in from the other room. The boys are loud. I’m not hearing the girls except for April telling the boys to hush up.

Ryker excuses himself and disappears, then returns. As soon as he walks back in the kitchen, there’s nothing but blissful silence from the living room.

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