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All I want is you.

Not wanted. No past tense. Want.

She still wants me.

It could be foolish to hold on to such a small choice of words, but Talia is nothing if not deliberate. It’s the only thing keeping me afloat. The clock is ticking, my departure is looming closer, and while we’ve made insurmountable progress, it still isn’t enough.

I lost my goddamn mind when she perched herself on the hotel vanity, displaying herself with grace despite the dirty act. I’d have to cling to the promise she hasn’t given up on us just yet until the very last minute. Vanessa had no news, and I’d accepted the odds. There was no Get Out of Jail Free card. I was locked in. I’d spent the first advance within two weeks, and breaking my contract would result in me paying every cent back, trading one difficult situation for another. We’d have to sell the house, the car.

My only hope was we’d survive another year of me on the road and her in Iris Meadows.

I can’t even entertain an alternative outcome without feeling as if my heart has been wrenched from my chest and pulverized.

Things weren’t only on the up with Talia, but the girls have decided I no longer warrant exile from town. Harriet and Warren are hosting a barbecue this evening, and I scored an invitation.

We’re all seated around the firepit after devouring the delicious food Warren prepared. It’s hard not to wonder if I’m only here because it’s convenient or it’d be awkward to invite one member of the household and not the other, but within no time, it’s like the old days, with a few extra additions. It’s nice. Good for the soul. The normal I miss.

Ethan sits in his bouncer in the shade, all the women and Willow crowded around him as he shows them his new gummy smile.

Warren appears from inside, offering me another bottle of ginger ale before he sits in the Adirondack chair opposite me. “Cheers.”

The necks of our bottles meet.

We’ve chatted most of the evening while the girls do their thing. They live in a quaint little cottage, but I’ve found out this evening they’re moving to a larger four-bed house on the other side of town. I’ve also learned Warren was a firefighter and EMT before retiring the other month. Now he works to support first responders who suffer from PTSD and other mental health disorders.

He’s a good guy, a little reserved at first, but it doesn’t take a genius to see he’s head over heels in love with Harriet and their little boy.

“He’s cute.” I nod toward the huddle just as Ethan lets out a happy shriek.

“Takes after his mom.” Warren takes a swig from his bottle. “I’ve been meaning to thank you, by the way.”

“Me?” I frown. “What for?”

Warren checks no one is listening and leans forward. “Harriet knows you had something to do with the payout and royalty agreement. We were doing well, but now, we’re moving to a house big enough to build her a studio, and we can put money aside for Ethan’s future. Not to mention you got my girl safely to the hospital, and just in time too. So, thank you. Seriously.”

I click my tongue. “There’s no need to thank me. The song theft shouldn’t have happened in the first place.”

“No, but it wasn’t your doing. It was that prick’s fault.”

He’s referring to her ex, Peter, and I raise my drink. “Now that we can agree on. I’m glad to see she upgraded. That guy was a prize asshat.”

“I only met him twice, and that was enough.”

I stare at the charred pieces of wood in the firepit as I pick at the label on my bottle. “Do me a favor and don’t tell Talia. I don’t want her to think I came swooping in to save the day.”

His lips turn down in thought. “I mean, you kinda did, but I get it. She’s a smart girl though, and has probably pieced it together herself.”

“Probably, but I don’t want her to think I did it to win her back. Harriet’s been a good friend to us. Especially to Talia while I was gone.”

“Talia was good to Harriet too. It wasn’t always smooth sailing for us either, and I wasn’t there at the beginning of her pregnancy, but I know she wasn’t alone. Those four women would go to war for one another.” He chuckles. “It should make me feel inferior, but I’m thankful she has friends like that.”

We both watch as Talia unbuckles Ethan, pressing her nose to his downy-soft cheek before handing him over to his mom.

It’s painful and beautiful to watch.

“We’re lucky men,” Warren continues.

“We sure fucking are.” And I need all the luck in the world.