Page 191 of Forever Dead

She believed he meant it. Whether either of them could live differently from the habits they had built was another question.

For tonight, he had told her the truth. She would not pretend that solved what he had done, but she would not treat it as though he had said nothing.

“Rest,” Selena said.

“You too.”

She nodded.

A knock came at the door. Jessie entered carrying a coat over one arm and stopped when she saw Selena.

“You.”

Selena had just enough time to stand before Jessie crossed the room and wrapped both arms around her.

“Ow.”

Jessie released her immediately. “Sorry.”

“I’m fine, Jessie.”

“I nearly lost both of you this week…” she said, her eyes welling up.

Selena hugged her again and whispered “sorry,” not knowing what she meant by it.

Jessie pointed at both of them. “What am I going to do with you two?”

Connor settled deeper into the pillow. “Nothing, preferably.”

Jessie ignored him. “One of you gets stabbed chasing a murderer through a corn maze. The other gets knocked unconscious and fights the murderer in his house.” She shook her head. “Couldn’t either of you find safer jobs?”

Selena stared at Connor. Connor looked back.

“Nah,” they said together.

Jessie stared at them while Selena started laughing, then regretted it when her head throbbed.

“That isn’t funny either,” Jessie said.

“No,” Connor replied. “Probably not.”

Selena retrieved her cane. “I’ll leave you two alone.”

“You don’t have to,” Jessie said.

“I’ve had enough hospital for one day.”

She reached the doorway.

“Selena?”

Connor’s voice stopped her.

She turned. “Yeah?”

He gave her a tired smile. “Happy Halloween.”

Selena rested one hand against the doorframe. “Happy Halloween, Connor.”