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I took in our joined hands. “Me, too.”

His arms stayed around me as I listened to the faint patter of rain and his breathing beside my ear.

Tomorrow I’d leave this apartment. Start all over again somewhere new.

I hadn’t asked Luke about his plans now that Kirby was with her parents and Sadie had given me a trail to follow. With Tim and Varesh accompanying me, he technically didn’t need to be there at all, but until he told me differently, I’d assume he’d be with me for the entire journey.

“Coming back to bed?” he asked.

I faced him and slid my arms around his neck, pressing a kiss on his chin. “If you ask nicely.”

Rather than ask, he bent and hoisted me over his shoulder.

I clutched his waist as I dangled upside down. “For future reference, that’s not asking.”

“All this time,” he said, “and you still haven’t figured out I’m a man of action.”

Twenty-Four

luke

“Almost ready?” I called out, checking my watch.

The rain had finally eased overnight, leaving condensation on the windows and a steady drip from the gutters.

“Two minutes,” Ava called back from the bathroom.

I crouched and shoved the tablet and solar charger into my bag.

Part of me didn’t want to leave, and I’d spent the past few minutes wondering what it would be like staying here with Ava instead of getting back on the road. We had space on the rooftop to grow food—and we’d be close enough to visit Kirby without too much risk. There were cars out the back for transport until fuel became an issue.

It wasn’t the worst idea.

But then there was Sadie. The farm. Ava would never let herself relax until she’d set eyes on her again.

She emerged from the bathroom, her long hair leaving damp spots on her hoodie after the world’s fastest cold shower. Her screams had echoed through the apartment, bringing a smile to my face as I packed.

“That sounded like fun,” I said.

She strolled over to me and kissed my cheek. “I may have overreacted.”

I hooked my hand around the back of her neck and pulled her closer, giving her a longer, deeper kiss. “Just a little.” Every time she passed by, I wanted to reach for her.

Ava smiled and pushed off me, watching me as she backed away. “I need to write a note to Kirby before we leave—and I know what you’re thinking,” she said before I could comment. “What’s the point? She’s not coming here.” She knelt in front of the coffee table and scribbled a message on the pad Sadie had left behind. “I don’t care. I’m doing it anyway.”

I held both hands up. “I never said a thing. You’re arguing with yourself.”

A beat later, she rose with the folded note and slipped it into her back pocket. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

“Last chance to stop by your place before we leave Melbourne. We can make the time.”

She took a moment to think it over, then shook her head. “I’d rather not take a detour. I just want to get to the farm.”

I’d never been a superstitious person, but I didn’t want to delay the trip either.

We slung our bags over our shoulders and grabbed our weapons.

I pulled the door open, and Ava paused, giving the apartment one last look before we stepped through and closed it behind us for good.