Page 81 of See You in Your Dreams

Dylan chuckles, eyeing me up and down. “You seem to be in good spirits. I take it everything went okay with your aunt?” His eyes narrow and he squeezes my hand warningly. “You didn’t chicken out, did you?”

“Of course not! I’ll have you know I expressed myself openly and honestly.”

He raises his brow. “And?”

“And it was awful,” I sigh, eliciting another chuckle. I play with the wrapped silverware on the table. “But it was…cathartic, too. I’m going to try harder to let her in from now on. And to…to talk more about my mom.”

He squeezes my hand again, more gently this time. “I’m proud of you.”

The intent look he’s giving me is too much, and I clear my throat, nudging him with my shoulder. “So, what about you? I don’t see any more bruises on you at least.” I glance at the black eye he’s sporting, even more prominent today than it was last night, and crack my knuckles. “Which is good for Tommy’s continued health.”

Dylan rolls his eyes. “No beating up my brother. He’s still a dick, but we talked some and…” He shrugs. “It’s too soon to tell, but maybe things will be better between us.”

The server arrives to take our drink order. I get a Sprite while Dylan orders a Diet Coke. From the familiar way the server talks to him, it’s clear they know each other. He probably knows everyone here thanks to his mom and the extra shifts he’s picked up over the years.

“And your mom?” I ask once the server drops off our drinks. I take a long sip of my Sprite. “Did you talk to her too?”

“Yep.” He bites his lip as he swirls his straw around his cup. “I told her I was planning to put off college. She objected. Strongly.”

I snort. “Good. For the record, so do I.”

“Yeah well, then I guess you’ll both be pleased to hear that I think I’ve decided to go after all.”

My eyes widen as I stare at him. “Seriously?”

He nods, taking a big gulp of his soda. “I’m going to apply to some options closer to home that’ll be cheaper, and I’ll still try to pick up some part-time work when I can to reduce expenses. But it looks like I’ll be training to be a vet after all.” His hazel eyes lock on me, shining golden in the sunlight streaming in a nearby window. “Thankfully, someone taught me that my own future matters, too. Even if it took Tommy of all people to make me accept it.”

Gazing into his eyes, taking in the illuminated planes of his face, I know that no sketch I ever draw of him can do him justice.Warmth floods me, filling me up from the tips of my toes to the crown of my head, and I know another thing with absolute certainty.

“I love you.” His breath catches as I shift in closer to him, never looking away from his wide eyes. “I think I have for months, even when I’d convinced myself I didn’t deserve you, that I had to push you away.” I smirk. “Thanks for being too stubborn to listen.”

He leans in, sealing our lips together. The warmth pervading me heats to a blistering inferno. “Any time,” he murmurs as we part. His gaze devours me hungrily, sweeping me up and down. “And for the record, I love you, too.”

We stare at each other for a long, fraught few heartbeats before approaching footsteps herald our server’s return. “You boys ready to order?”

I realize I haven’t even glanced at the menu, and I turn to Dylan. “Any recommendations?”

He smiles, closing the menus and setting them aside. “Just give us two of my regular, Cynthia.”

She returns his smile. “Coming right up.”

“What did you just order me?” I ask with a hint of trepidation.

His grin is deliciously wicked. “I guess you’ll have to wait and see.” As we settle in to wait, he glances around us, then lowers his voice. “What about dreamwalking? Are you going to keep taking those sleeping pills?”

I slowly shake my head. “I don’t think so. Things didn’t work out how we hoped with Greta, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still do some good.” I shift, the faded vinyl seat squeaking. “My aunt said she uses her psychic sessions to help people work through their issues. Maybe I can do something similar after I graduate. You know, find a way to help people like my mom with my…my gift?”

Gift.The word feels odd on my tongue. It’s the first time I’ve truly thought of my power that way. Perhaps that’s a step in the right direction. Perhaps that means I’m finally beginning to heal.

Dylan furrows his brow. “What, like sleep hypnosis or something?”

I shrug. “Dunno. Maybe.” A fleeting grin flits across my face. “Or maybe I’ll be a superhero like you said, slipping in and out of people’s dreams in the middle of the night to rescue those in need.”

Dylan takes a long draw of his Diet Coke until his straw makes a slurping noise. “You know, when you put it like that, it sounds less heroic and more outright creepy.”

“Hey!” I shove him playfully in the shoulder, and he chuckles, holding up his hands defensively.

We’re still laughing when Dylan’s phone chimes. He checks it, then glances at me, a question in his eyes. “That’s from my friends, asking if I want to meet up.” When I hesitate, he quickly adds, “But no pressure! I can tell them I’ll see them later if you want to keep hanging out just the two of us.”