Sable Peak

I see you, Vera.

Your favorite color is green. Dark green. And you’re a fast runner.” She seemed to prefer hiking for exercise, but I’d watched her go out for a run from time to time. Vera had a long, easy stride. She ran with grace, poise and speed. “Why are you saying all of this, Mateo?” Her voice was barely a whisper. I might not have let myself cross a line. I might not have noticed her crush. But that didn’t mean I hadn’t seen her. Learned about her. Paid attention to her.

Secrets only stayed secrets through silence.

I’m done waiting for you to see me. Something shifted beneath my feet like moving sand. Things in my chest, around my brain, rearranged. It was like a deck of cards being shuffled. There was before. This was after.

This life of ours was clear and a million.

I couldn’t stop thinking about her. It felt like someone had slipped glass on my face. And that someone had given me permission to see.Now I wanted to learn everything there was to learn about Vera. I wanted to see it all.

It’s you. You are her family. You are hers … And you’re mine. We are your family.

you’re a brave soul,

Something shifted beneath my feet like moving sand. Things in my chest. Around my brain. Rearranged. It was like a deck of cards being shuffled. There was before. This was after.

We weren’t exactly new, not in a lot of ways. Vera had been a part of my life for years. A part of Allie’s too.We were just starting down a different path.And there was no looking back.

Clear and a million.

No one moved. Because here, inside this house, in this kitchen, was our party. Mom and Dad. Griffin and Winn. Knox and Memphis. Foster and Talia. Jasper and Eloise. Vance and Lyla. Vera and me. Some of us hadn’t started with the last name Eden. Some of us had changed it with marriage. But every person in this house claimed it. We were the Edens.

Mateo held out a hand. “Mateo Eden.” Dad glanced down at me, looking between the two of us. Then he blew out a long breath, a breath that seemed like two years in the making, and shook Mateo’s hand. “Cormac Gallagher.

Today, I was seeing clear and a million. “Will you teach me to fly?” she asked. Spend hours and hours with her, alone and above the world? “Absolutely.

I don’t want to fuck it up with Vera”…“Then don’t fuck it up,” Knox said.I laughed “That easy?”“Yeah, brother. It’s that easy. Just love her. The rest takes care of itself.

When I lifted my gaze to his, I got lost in sapphire blue. Not a person on this earth had eyes like Mateo Eden. Not his parents. Not his siblings. Not even his daughter. “I see you, Vera.” The emotions swelled so big in my chest I couldn’t breathe. How long had I hoped for this? Dreamed of this? Years. I should have known what to say and what to do. Instead, I turned for the door.

Something shifted beneath my feet like moving sand. Things in my chest, around my brain, rearranged. It was like a deck of cards being shuffled.There was before. This was after.

And before Mateo could say another word, I pressed my lips to his, holding that soft mouth for two aching heartbeats before I pulled away. He stared at me, his face unreadable. “I’m done waiting for you to see me.” I flew from the bar. I ran. And as I raced down Quincy’s sidewalks, I put my love for Mateo away. I shoved it in that locked box. And buried it down deep.

Yes, that’s a tree. What color is it?” “Geen.” Someday, Allie would be able to say her rs. I hated that day already.

buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Her husband was Knox, the tattooed, bearded one. Or was she married to the cowboy? What was his name again? Garth? No, Griffin.

I love you, Vera. I fucking love you. I won’t leave you. And I won’t let you go.