“THAT’S WHAT I SAID!” Aran slapped the table, making Kalani snort tea up her nose.
I laughed so hard it hurt, and it felt good to laugh again. Really laugh again.
Will dropped back into his chair with a plate of food and a glass of orange juice, shooting Aran a murderous look.
I nudged him, still grinning.
“Is it true?” I asked, all wide-eyed.
Will’s glare sharpened. “Whatdid he tell you?”
“That you called dibs on me the first time we met?”
Will looked like he wanted to die.
Aran, meanwhile, was thriving. “It’s adorable. Don’t be shy, man.”
“You were so cute back then,” I said without thinking.
Aran gasped. “SHE SAID WERE! SHE SAIDWERE!”
Kalani lost it, coughing into her tea and laughing so hard she doubled over.
Will just groaned into his hands. “Why are you like this?”
Then Aran voice softened a little. “I’m happy for you guys. Really.”
Will muttered a shy, “Thanks,” under his breath.
“So, Kera… are we still doing this?” Aran asked. “Any chance you’ve changed your mind?”
The smile slipped right off my face, and I straightened a little, feeling the weight of what was coming settle back onto my shoulders.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I have to. And I know you guys don't like it, but I can't just leave Licia there.”
Will's hand found mine under the table.
“Just... be careful,” he said. ”I'll be there tomorrow. You’ll stay safe, right? Burn those fuckers if you need to.”
Despite everything, a small smile tugged at my mouth. I met all of their eyes, feeling the stubborn fire light inside me again.
"I will,” I said, my voice quiet but sure.
Will's gaze locked onto mine.
“I can't lose you again. Alright? I can’t.”
“You won’t.”
Across from us, Aran was sitting with the most exaggerated look plastered across his face. "Aww, you two are adorable," he said sweetly, batting his lashes in mock adoration. “Let’s just hope we don’t all die. That would be such a bummer.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
I thought I knew what to expect. I’d played every version of it in my head, but nothing prepares you for the moment a nightmare becomes real. Will had begged me not to go, maybe I should have listened. I hadn’t wanted to go either. But it wasn’t about want. Licia was in there. And I couldn’t keep living, couldn’t breathe, knowing she was trapped in that place. She would’ve done the same for me, I knew that. And it wasn’t about being brave. It was about not turning away.
I didn’t know who I’d find. What Licia had become in the time she’d been caged and broken and forgotten. Maybe she wouldn’t even recognize me. Maybe she’d hate me for taking so long. But then, maybe I wouldn’t recognize her either. I’d caught my own reflection in a gold-framed mirror at the hotel. I hadn’t looked long. Couldn’t. Thegirl staring back was a stranger. Would Licia look at me and see a stranger, too?
I should’ve asked Kalani what she looked like now, her face, her hair, her posture. To have something to hold onto. But I hadn’t. And it was too late.
