Page 111 of Let the Light Shine Through

“Uh-huh.” She nods, walking again, and I hurry to catch up.

“Will you give me messages, too?” I don’t want to think about her dying, but she says that’s how it’s supposed to be, that parents aren’t supposed to live longer than their kids.

We stop at the same time as she looks over at me, saying, “I promise.”

No, not karma. Vita.

My mom. She sent Roz. I suspected it was her for a while but didn’t want to accept it because that would mean…what does it mean?

A reminder to let myself embrace the light in my own life? Because when it comes to the way Roz makes me feel, I’ve been chasing that happiness away like a Northern Shrike would another bird, denying myself the opportunity to have it, or him, long-term.

Do I have Roz though? I didn’t think I did.

There’s only one way to find out.

“Treat her well,” I tell Bryce, tossing him the keyring to my Raptor.

“What?” he asks, but I’m already on the move.

“Sorry ’bout the mix-up, Kori, but you’re gonna have to find somebody else to ride with.”

“Why?” Her gaze rakes over me, then Roz.

“Because Roz is with me now.”

Putting his feet in front of mine, Roz asks, “Oh, am I?”

“Unless I got it wrong…” I trail off purposely. This is why I don’t do this shit. It’s awkward. I shouldn’t have even—

“Baby, I’ve been taken since you crashed my best friend’s funeral.”

A disgusted scoff to the side goes unchecked. Hey, we’re unconventional. Didn’t she pick up on that last night?

“You have me today, tomorrow, and every day after that. You take up way too much space in my mind for me to be anything but yours, so the better question is, are you taken?”

His eyes latch on to mine.

“I don’t do labels.”

“Cut the shit, Gia. After last night, everyone on this mountain knows you’re mine.”

“Only this mountain? Guess you’ll have to try harder next time.”

He buries his hands into the hair by my ears, pulling me in until his lips are an undeniable temptation. “As soon as you tell me what I already know.”

“You’re like a dog with a bone, you know that?”

“What? No bird reference?”

I roll my eyes. “You’re a Common Swift—”

“I’m a Cardinal.”

My heart skips a beat as I try not to react.

Fiercely loyal. Gorgeous beyond words. A creature made for the spotlight, everyone notices the male Cardinal.

I did.