“Careful, that one’s got claws,” Cade offers right as Willa shoves a pointy elbow into his ribs. I grin. “That’s okay. I like having my back scratched.”

“I could fucking bury whoever made you believe you’re as unlovable as you seem to think.”

“For what you’ve done to me? I am indifferent to you. For what you’ve done to her? I hate you. I wouldn’t have touched you with a one-million-foot pole if I’d realized the type of man you really are. Fool me once, never again. That’s the new saying.”

My life is now Sesame Street, and I am Oscar the Grouch. Pretty sure Elmo just brought me my wine.

Harvey gives a derisive snort. “Come on. Don’t you kids know anything? You ever seen a tomcat fight a female?” Willa’s body is taut with barely contained laughter, while Cade groans and scrubs a hand over his beard. “They start off scratching and screaming at each other—” “Dad, please stop.” Cade braces his forearms against the edge of the table,

“Anything you want to say to this future wife of yours tonight, Silva?” I don’t need to think twice. I hold the mic up to my lips and murmur, “Te vivo.” It’s better than “I love you”. It’s more accurate.

“Call your dog off, Eaton.” She keeps walking, only addressing Rhett, like I’m not even here. But goddamn, I love a challenge. I turn with a loud, “Woof!”

“Fuck it,” I mumble as I sniff and sit up taller, eyes laser-focused on the road. “Siri, call Summer Hamilton.”

“Theo loves easily. That’s just his nature. But he doesn’t often love hard. He keeps that part of himself, the one that’s seen loss too, locked up tight where it can’t get hurt. But you, girl? He loves you hard.”