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He’s honest, and open when he can’t tell me something—which is more than good enough in my books.

I don’t know if I’ll ever feel like I deserve him, but if the past few days full of I love yous are anything to go by, he’s more than happy to remind me that he thinks I am.

I’m pretty sure that’s all I need.

And . . . as it turns out, it’s enough for Hannah too.

I did check in with Tucker about telling her and Barry and he was all for it. And he told me he’s ready to plan a family barbeque for the time when I’m ready for his family to know.

I’ll tell my parents and Jace soon enough too, of course, but since it’s all happened so fast, I know they’d feel better about all of it if they could meet Tucker when I break the news that we’re together.

“This is amazing!” Hannah cries out, then literally cries a minute after.

“I’m pretty sure those are good tears,” Barry tells me with a sympathetic smile, which I return.

“I hope this doesn’t make things weird for you—” I stop talking when he shakes his head once and laughs.

“It won’t. Tuck’s a good guy, and I’m sure he’ll be a great brother-in-law,” he teases, and I freeze.

Then I realize, I don’t care about the teasing because . . .

“He’s mine.” I shrug.

Even though it hasn’t been long, I can feel how easily he gives me space, time, and his patience. I’ve been slowly coming back to life, and I’m still not totally okay. I’ll probably keep being surprised when he tells me I look beautiful in sweatpants, at least until my brain gets with the program.

I don’t mind being dependent on him because I can depend on him. He’s shown me in just a month that he’s not going to let me down in any big, meaningful way. Even if we both decide a month from now that we’re not compatible after all, I’ll still have a job. We’ll manage to find a new normal.

I don’t want it to happen, I doubt it will happen, but my life won’t fall apart if he does.

It’s the same thing with the Luxton job. If I get it, I won’t lose him or the boys.

I’d forgotten what it was like to feel so incredibly at peace.

I am on the right path, and I don’t want to share it with anyone but Tucker, because with him, I’m not scared.

23

TUCKER

July 12th

We’re summoned to Eli’s place early Monday morning.

His office still feels crowded with most of the Turris here. Michael, Baron, Beatrice, Iris, Harrison, Eian, Colby, Liv, and I stand crowded behind his chair.

“The police don’t have anything, no evidence at all that Tucker was involved,” Baron says.

“Because there is no evidence,” I point out, and Liv takes my hand.

We’ve brought everyone up to speed on the meeting Beatrice, Iris, Eli, and I had last month.

“There really isn’t. I made sure to dig up everything they have on the case, and there’s no recording of the meeting, like we thought there might be. We’ll make sure later to sweep before the meeting starts.”

That’s all fine and good, but⁠—

“There is nowhere I could’ve found that much money, to start⁠—”

“We believe you, Tucker,” Iris says, her steady blue eyes on me. She nods once. “You’re not that stupid.”