Page 13 of Resilient Rhythms

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And then, Mckenna glances up at me from beneath her long lashes. “What does this mean for us, Mav?”

“I’m not sure.”

We pause in front of the building as a black Escalade pulls up to the curb.

“But we’ve been in each other’s lives for too long, and we’ve been through too much together, for me to pretend that this doesn’t mean something.” I gesture between us. “I never stopped caring about you, Mckenna. Hell, I still love you.”

A tear falls to her cheek and I reach out tentatively to brush it away.

“I don’t want to be the cause of your tears on graduation day,” I whisper.

She shakes her head. “It’s okay. Go on.”

“I don’t know what this is, but I know what it’s not,” I say slowly, getting ready to show her my cards. To admit to the feelings coursing through my veins and crashing in my chest.

“What?” Barely a whisper.

“It’s not the end,” I admit.

She works a swallow, but her eyes hold mine. “It’s not the end,” she repeats, relief snaking around her words.

I pull open the back door for her. “Not even close.”

She slides onto the seat and I watch as her shoulders slump with relief. I slip into the seat beside her and close my eyes as her hand reaches for mine.

She holds my fingers tightly as she forces a smile and meets my driver’s eyes in the rearview mirror.

“Hi, Alfred.”

He fucking beams at her. “Good to see you, Kenny.”

As Alfred pulls away from the curb and we drive toward Carter’s Steakhouse, I can’t help but feel immense relief and gratitude.

Mckenna still cares about me. She’s still in Boston. There’s still a chance.

And for the first time in months, a glimmer of hope flickers on the horizon.

I haven’t lost her.

Not even close.

FOUR

MCKENNA

IT’S NOT THE END.

It playson my mind like a mantra throughout my graduation lunch. As thrilled as I am to have Dad, Jeannie, my best friends, and The Burnt Clovers celebrate my graduation, Mav’s presence hits differently.

He’s here.

It’s not the end.

Not even close.

“To our next lawyer,” Reign announces, lifting his beer.

Levi snorts. “Don’t let Aiden hear you say that.”

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