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Luke’s lack of response said everything. He couldn’t make any promises when he didn’t even know where he’d be tomorrow.

None of us moved for a moment, then Kirby wrapped me up in an aggressive hug. My arms went around her automatically, and I squeezed her back just as hard, soaking up her strength and energy, and the life that vibrated through her.

“I’m glad I found you,” she said into my shoulder. “I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t seen you outside the airport.”

A breath lodged in my chest, and images flickered through my mind. Her purple hair in the rearview mirror, her laugh right in the middle of chaos—and her willingness to risk her life to save a little dog.

“You would have hijacked a driver and their car,” I said.

She pulled back and smiled, swiping the back of her hand across her eyes.

Kirby barely had time to turn to Luke before he grabbed her and drew her against him. “Look after yourself,” he said, his arms encircling her shoulders. “Your parents, too.”

“I will. Don’t do anything stupid out there.”

“I’ll try not to.”

“And keep sticking together. Please. For me.”

My heart tripped, and Luke answered too quietly for me to hear.

A floorboard creaked above us, a reminder that Kirby was home, and I still had somewhere else to be. As much as I didn’t want to leave, the pull to see Sadie grew stronger with each extra minute we stuck around.

Kirby eased back from him. “You better go before I change my mind and come with you.”

Luke and I stooped and patted Pearl one more time.

“See you later,” I said.

He opened the door and let me out first, his palm meeting the small of my back just long enough to leave an imprint.

I focused on the car as he followed me outside, with Kirby close behind him.

Keep walking. Don’t second-guess it.

I didn’t look back. Not until we’d reached the SUV, and the lights flashed as Luke unlocked the doors.

When I jumped into the passenger seat, she was watching us from the doorway with Pearl in her arms.

“Look at the two of them,” I said, my eyes blurring.

Luke started the car, keeping his foot on the brake while I entered Sadie’s address into the navigation screen. He didn’t glance at her, didn’t speak, but his throat moved as he swallowed.

Kirby mirrored my wave, then closed the door as if she couldn’t bear to see us go.

I blinked rapidly and stared at my hands. Maybe I could come back. Bring Sadie with me and introduce the two of them. It didn’t have to mean the end.

Luke backed out of the parking space without looking at me, leaving the restaurant and the alley behind us.

We were both too quiet as he straightened the wheel and took off, and the only voice in the car came from the navigation system.

In four hundred metres, turn left.

Eighteen

luke

Ikept expecting the squeak of leather as Kirby shifted in the back, or her hand on the side of my seat as she inserted herself into another conversation.