Page 80 of Thanking Her Brother's Best Friends

I cut him off before he could finish saying Dave's name. I did not need this day to get any shittier. "Ben, I love you, but I said no. And no doesn't mean you're going to keep trying to convince me. I'm sorry."

Ben looked shocked for a second. I knew I'd hurt him by being this raw, but it felt legit. He'd chosen a jail for himself. That didn't mean I had to as well.

I went to the dining room. Ollie was busy cutting cucumbers into little star shapes while Abigail told him something about embracing a vegan lifestyle. I snorted, knowing full well that this was what was coming for Ben next.

"Hey, honey." I dropped to my knees in front of him and bundled him into my arms. "Promise me you'll be a good kid? I'll pick you up from school every day and bring you back here. But you gotta keep your end of the bargain, okay?"

He nodded, his face a little sad. "I'll go home soon?"

My heart broke into a million fragments, but I had to hold it together. "Yes, baby," I croaked. I wanted to sound reassuring, but my throat was heavy with misery. "In the blink of an eye."

I undid the Apple watch on my wrist and slipped it around his. It looked clunky on his little hand, but something told me that I'd rather have my son safe. I could worry about the specifics of fashion later.

"Listen up, little man," I murmured. "You don't need to wear this all the time, but whenever you go out, make sure it's on your wrist, okay? That way, I'll always be connected to you."

"Goodness, Selene, isn't he a little too young for that?" Abigail sounded scandalized. I ignored her.

"You do this, and I'll take you out for ice cream very, very soon. We have a deal?"

Oliver bobbed his head brightly. "Deal!"

I straightened and nodded at Abigail. "See you around, Abi."

"D'you want me to pack some lunch for you?"

"Thanks, but I'm headed to the shop anyway." I turned to leave.

At the door, I stopped for one second and looked back. Oliver was busy learning something else now, and Ben was in the middle of an animated discussion with him.

It involved boats and sailing and visiting the harbor.

He did not look up to see the tears in my eyes, and I turned without making any further fuss. I couldn't get inside the car fast enough.

I typed a quick message to Chloe, asking her to take over for me. My head hurt, and my heart hurt more. And then, I typed another message to Niall.

You free?

I knew this was me, acting on impulses. Same old Selene.

He responded almost instantly.Where do you need me to come?

My lips curled into a small smile.

My place.

* * *

When Niall showed up,I took him upstairs to my bedroom.

I said nothing until he closed the door behind us, and nothing after that. Instead, I pulled him to me and kissed him, hard, fast, and furiously.

"Whoa, Selene," he breathed into my mouth. "Are you—"

"I don't want anyone else asking me if I'm okay." I broke the kiss and looked at him expectantly. "This is what I want."

His eyes swept over my face, and then, he pulled me back to him and kissed me hungrily.

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