Page 178

Nobody speaks.

Sean's eyes move to Hayley.

Hayley's move to his.

For once, neither looks away.

I put down the pastry bag.

“Maybe we should read them together.”

Hayley covers her mouth.

Sean's voice is rough when he answers.

“Whenever you're ready.”

Not tonight.

Not at three in the morning.

But soon.

For the first time since I found Addy's boxes, I don't feel like the letters belong only to the dead.

They might contain pieces of the living too.

Pieces of Hayley.

Pieces of Sean.

Pieces of me.

Arthur reaches for a blueberry turnover.

I slap his hand.

“Ow.”

“Ten minutes.”

“It's been at least six.”

“Three.”

“That's practically ten.”

I look at Sean.

“Can you control him?”

“No.”

Arthur smiles triumphantly.

“I've been trying for eighteen years.”

Hayley shakes her head.