Page 28 of Where We Belong

And then there was the time she called me in tears, asking me for help. I drove to the guy’s place faster than I ever had, but when I got there, she acted as if everything was fine. I confronted him, obviously, but he kicked me out, and the next day, the cabin was trashed.

I don’t know what goes on when she’s with him, but I can tell it’s bad. Worse than that, when she finally came home for dinner a few days ago, she had dried blood under her nose. I’m not sure whether it was from drugs or from being hurt, but either way, I hate it, and there’s not a single fucking thing I can do about it.

I rub a hand over my scalp.It’s Halloween. Your favorite holiday.

I need to stop thinking about this. I can’t do anything about it now, and as much as I’d like to help Francesca, if she doesn’t want to help herself, there’s nothing I can do except be there for her when she decides to leave him.

Once I’ve put my phone back in the inside pocket of my jacket, I lift my head to find an old sedan approaching the entrance. One I’ve gotten accustomed to seeing a lot in the past few weeks.

Lexie slows down beside me and rolls her window down.

“Are the Oscars now taking place in Sonder Hill and I didn’t know?”

“Ha, ha,” I say. “It’s Halloween. This is my Halloween costume.”

“And you’re supposed to be…?”

“Bond, obviously.” I pull my fake gun out.

Her brows lift as she rakes me up and down, then blinks. “Right.”

“Want some candy?” I ask, hand already plunged in the bowl next to me.

She shakes her head. “No, thanks.”

“All right.” I look left and right, the rest of the lot still empty. My stomach dips once again at the thought it might remain this way. When I return my attention to Lexie, I find her staring. I clear my throat, then say, “I’m still missing a Bond girl, if you feel like hanging around.”

“I think I’ll pass.” She smirks. “But as the only woman around, I feel honored that you thought of me.”

I laugh as I watch her drive away and then turn into the cabin’s parking spot. My gaze snags on her as she gets out of the car, her leggings and coaching jacket hugging every single curve on her body.

“Trick or treat!”

The high-pitched voices bring me out of my daze. Three little boys stand in front of me, all dressed as Ninja Turtles, a pillowcase open in front of each.

“Hey, guys. Aren’t you missing a friend?”

I fill their bags as one of them says, “We’re a trio now.”

“Good to know.” I fill the last bag, then put a hand on my heart and say, “Thank you for your service, ninjas.”

They chuckle as they run back toward where their parents are waiting for them, and I don’t miss the “What was his costume?”

Ah, kids.

I take my spot on the stool but don’t wait long before more people arrive. Car after car turns onto the gravel road leading to the main farm, where my colleagues will be waiting for them and directing them toward the different activities. More kids also show up while trick-or-treating, each making me smile more than the last.

Halloween really is the best.

It’s almost fully dark out when I hear footsteps on the gravel behind me. I turn, then feel my jaw fall to the ground.

I’ve never seen Lexie like this. Granted, she’s mostly in training gear when we cross paths, but not even when we met in Italy and she was wearing that short navy dress did she leave me this wordless.

Lexie’s a beautiful woman. There’s no denying it. But right now, in her long red gown with a low neckline and sequins all over, she looks…

I swallow as she comes even closer and the smell of her shampoo fills my nostrils, like fresh pears and vanilla. I rarely see her with any makeup on, but now, she’s wearing a dark smoky eye—at least I think that’s what my sister calls it—and bright red lips that match the exact color of her dress. The almost full moon is reflected in her dark eyes, and I find myself unable to look away.

As she takes a seat next to me, she says, “Thought you were missing some feminine presence.”

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