Page 109 of Only Be Mine

“Where is he?” he finally asked.

I tipped my head back, staring at the ceiling until the burn behind my eyes flared sharp enough to ground me. I pressed my lips together once, hard.

Then he was there, arms around me, solid and familiar, holding on like if he didn’t, one of us might disappear too.

I clutched the envelope between us, my forehead pressed to his shoulder, and for the first time since the call, I let myself shake.

Detective Marshall murmured an apology and said something about keeping us informed. His words slid past me without leaving a mark.

Seth guided me back down the empty corridor, his arm firm at my back, steady where I wasn’t. Outside, the night air hit my lungs sharp and clean.

The drive home was silent.

When he finally pulled into my driveway, he shut off the engine but didn’t look at me.

“There’s something I just can’t figure out. Why did that man have John’s wallet?” he asked. “How did he get John’s things?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “No one does.”

A tear slid down Seth’s cheek. Without thinking, I reached over and wiped it away. I rested my head against his shoulder, and for the first time that night, let myself be still.

“Why did you stop coming around?” I asked softly.

He inhaled, shaky. “Because you reminded me of him.” His hand tightened on the steering wheel. “He was my best friend, my brother, Cate. And the last thing I said to him was that if he didn’t find a way to get Lindsay into your wedding, he’d be ruining my life.”

His voice broke completely then. He folded into me, grief tearing free after ten years of being buried.

I held him. Stroked his hair. Whispered nonsense comforts I didn’t believe but needed to say.

Somewhere along the way, I’d become the strong one. I wasn’t sure when that had happened, or if it meant anything at all.

“I’m sorry,” Seth said eventually, pulling back. “I should be comforting you.”

I smiled faintly. “John wouldn’t want us miserable,” I said. “He’d want us to remember the good parts.”

Seth nodded. “Yeah. He would.”

“How’s Baby?” I asked.

“She’s slowing down,” he said. “Getting old.”

I closed my eyes. “Thank you for taking care of her. I just… couldn’t.”

“I know.”

“I’m getting married tomorrow,” I said.

He nodded. “I got the invitation.”

“I’d like it if you came.”

He huffed a laugh. “Trevor wouldn’t.”

“It’s not about Trevor.”

He paused as if in thought. “Can I bring a date?”

“Sure,” I said lightly. “How’s Lindsay?”