Page 101 (1/2)

“Yeah”

“The storage room”

What did he think I was, an amateur? “Yesss”

“The bathroom”

“Ye—” I stopped No, I hadn’t

Vik ht in my eyes return, because he ordered, “You check the ladies’; I’ll get theoff in opposite directions

I collided with the door, causing it to swing open with a bang My eyes shot all over I opened every stall, one by one, until there were none left to check Andjust outside thea frown, I reached it

The final stage Acceptance

With a sole to have to love her other children harder and never, ever trust the as she lives”

But then Vik reached out, pushing the door open a sliver And I heard it

Singing The little voice went, “He’s got the whole world in his hands,’ only stopping to strain loudly, causing my face to bunch in revulsion

Vik grinned “He’s taking a du his little heart out”

Sure Of course, he was

My heartbeat slowed

Another strain That couldn’t be good Somewhat concerned, I whispered, “He needs more fiber in his diet,” and Vik chuckled up until thehands

He quickly lost his laughter, and when his pensive eyes met mine, he opened his arms to me “Come here, baby”

I ithout hesitation,my nose to his collarbone He folded his ht as I, without shane

“He’s okay,” Vik murmured

Yes, he was But was I?

“Thanks for helping” was all I could think to say, because everything else I felt right then was not sohtly

A coood team”

The way he said it had htly to peer up at him What I found was a tired man with a worn soul, and it shattered h hand to push a loose hair behind my ear and spoke directly to my weakened spirit, “I meant what I said You take all the time you need” His bent his head to speak closer to ”

Right at that moment, my stomach lurched, and it wasn’t from the sweetly spoken words