Chapter 108: GABRIEL

Apparently, I do, because I reached for her hand and squeezed it gently, not caring about our audience in the backseat, who seemed more preoccupied with her phone anyway. “It’s going to be okay.” I raised her hand to my lips and then rested it on my thigh as we drove through the gates of home.

Home! That reminded me that we hadn’t finished our conversation earlier about her heading back east with me, and I thought now was as good a time as any to have that talk. It’ll take her mind off her mom for a while, at least.

While the others headed for the office, I led her to our room and closed the door before lifting her in my arms to take her to the bed where I laid her back against the mountain of pillows before walking around to my side. “You can cry now.” Even though it was going to gut me, I knew she’d been holding it in all this time.