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She studies me.

Then her mouth curves.

“Maybe.”

I wait.

She touches my face.

“But I picked you.”

My chest goes tight enough to hurt.

“Yeah.”

“That means you can be my idiot.”

“I'll take it.”

“Don't make me regret that either.”

“No impossible promises.”

“Look at you.”

I kiss her forehead.

“Learning.”

Later, Sweet lies with her head on my chest, one hand spread over my heart.

Outside, the festival is finally winding down for good. Raven got his last ride. Sweet chose the School of the Dead. Razor is at the bottom of the hole he tried to use on her. The Ravenfork leak is still out there somewhere, which means tomorrow Hyde will have work for me.

Consequences do not disappear just because life finally gives you something good.

I understand that now too.

Sweet traces one finger over my ribs.

“Tomorrow I have class at eight.”

“I'll make breakfast.”

She lifts her head. “Can you make breakfast?”

“No.”

“That is the most truthful thing you've said in days.”

“I can burn toast with consistency.”

“That does count for something.”

“Coffee?”

“You make good coffee.”

“See? Husband material.”